Energy Build
Centre of excellence for sustainable construction and green skills training
Discover the future of sustainable construction at our Energy Build Centre of Excellence in Collooney, Sligo. As Ireland accelerates toward its climate targets, our cutting-edge facility is at the forefront of delivering industry-leading training in Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and retrofit practices. Designed to meet the evolving demands of the construction and retrofit sectors, our courses equip learners with the essential skills and certifications needed to thrive in a low-carbon, energy-efficient future.
Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to upskill or a newcomer entering the construction industry, our expert-led programmes combine practical, hands-on training with the latest building technologies and standards. Located in the heart of the north-west, the Energy Build Centre of Excellence provides accessible, high-quality education that supports both personal career development and national sustainability goals. Join us in building a greener, smarter Ireland—one project at a time.
Our Courses:
Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) refers to buildings that are highly energy-efficient, with very low energy demand, some of which is met through renewable sources. NZEB standards are now a legal requirement for all new buildings in Ireland. Retrofit involves upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy performance—this can include measures like insulation, window replacement, and renewable heating systems. Together, NZEB and retrofit are key to reducing carbon emissions and creating healthier, more sustainable homes and workplaces.
The training courses below are now available in Collooney, with more courses becoming available as this new centre develops.
NZEB Fundamental Awareness
This introductory course is designed to give learners a solid understanding of the core principles and practices behind Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). It is ideal for anyone looking to build their knowledge of energy-efficient construction and sustainable building design.
What you will learn:
- NZEB Principles: Key elements of Building Regulations, including Part L (energy efficiency) and Part F (ventilation).
- Building Physics: How heat and ventilation losses occur, understanding U-values, and the causes of condensation and mould.
- Building Fabric: Best practices for insulation, preventing thermal bridging, managing air tightness, and selecting energy-efficient windows and doors.
- Building Services: Energy-efficient systems for heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting, and the role of smart technologies.
- Renewable Energy: Introduction to solar PV systems, smart meters, and renewable energy requirements.
- Communication & User Awareness: The importance of clear communication during construction and providing useful information to building occupants.
This course provides a strong foundation for further training in NZEB and retrofit practices.
Duration: 1 day
Certification: City & Guilds Assured, CIF Recognised, 7 CIRI CPD Points
Thermal Insulation Installation
This hands-on course is designed to give learners the knowledge, skills, and confidence to select and safely install a wide range of insulation and draught-proofing systems in construction settings. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to enhance your expertise, this course will equip you with practical techniques aligned with current energy efficiency standards.
What you will learn:
- Understand the properties of various insulation and draught-proofing materials, both natural and synthetic.
- Read and interpret industry-standard symbols, terminology, and measurements.
- Get familiar with current energy conservation laws and your responsibilities on site.
- Learn how heat is lost in homes—and how insulation helps prevent it.
- Explore design strategies to boost energy efficiency, including insulation types, construction methods, and green technologies.
- Safely install insulation in walls, floors, and attics, and apply draught-proofing to doors, windows, and service points.
- Gain practical skills in cutting, shaping, and securing insulation materials.
- Consider the environmental impact of insulation materials and how to handle waste responsibly.
- Calculate insulation performance values and understand how to maintain insulation systems over time.
- Recognise common health and safety hazards and learn how to minimise risks during installation.
This course provides a strong foundation for working on energy-efficient construction and retrofit projects, in line with Ireland’s drive toward sustainability and NZEB compliance.
Duration: 71/2 days
Certification: QQI Level 5 Minor Award (15 credits)
Retrofitting Skills
This course aims to provide participants with key theoretical knowledge and essential practical skills to apply a range of insulation measures including cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, floor and attic insulation required to carry out shallow and deep retrofit projects using best practices.
What you will learn:
- Learn a range of building physics principles underpinning the correct installation of retrofit measures including thermal bridging and moisture movement.
- Explore the key characteristics, terminologies and properties of a range of insulation, airtightness and draught proofing measures required to carry out shallow and deep retrofit.
- Understand the benefits, to both the homeowner and the environment, of completing shallow and deep retrofit.
- Learn the key requirements highlighted in relevant building regulations and legislation pertaining to retrofit measures.
- Gain practical skills required to apply a range of insulation measures including cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, floor and attic insulation required to carry out shallow and deep retrofit projects, under supervision.
- Gain practical skills required to apply a range of airtightness and draught proofing measures required to carry out shallow and deep retrofit projects, under supervision.
This course provides a strong foundation for working on energy-efficient construction and retrofit projects, in line with Ireland’s drive toward sustainability and NZEB compliance.
Duration: 7 days
Certification: QQI Level 5 Minor Award (10 credits)
External Wall Insulation
This course aims to provide participants with key theoretical knowledge and essential practical skills to apply External Wall Insulation (EWI) using best practices.
What you will learn
- Understand a range of building physics principles underpinning external wall insulation install in new build and retrofit scenarios.
- Gain sufficient knowledge of the types of External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems and their components and describe an appropriate use of each system.
- Gain the ability, under supervision, to measure and calculate the materials required for the correct installation of EWI systems.
- Safety apply External Wall Insulation systems correctly with consideration for correct and safe working practices.
- Understand site practices in relation to responsible waste management, specifically the disposal of waste building materials.
This course provides a strong foundation for working on energy-efficient construction and retrofit projects, in line with Ireland’s drive toward sustainability and NZEB compliance.
Duration: 4.5 days
Certification: QQI Level 5 Minor Award (10 credits)
Airtightness & Vapour Control
This course aims to provide participants with key theoretical knowledge and essential practical skills to safely and confidently install airtightness and vapour control systems in new build and retrofit scenarios, using best practices.
What you will learn
- Explain a range of building physics principles underpinning airtightness and vapour control measures installed in new build and retrofit scenarios.
- Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the types of AVC components and strategies.
- Outline the relevant building regulations, legislation and accreditation pertaining to AVC systems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of air permeability testing measures.
- Demonstrate the ability, under supervision, to measure and calculation of materials required for the correct installation of AVC systems.
- Apply air tightness and vapour control systems correctly with consideration for safe working practises. This includes liquid applied membranes.
This course provides a strong foundation for working on energy-efficient construction and retrofit projects, in line with Ireland’s drive toward sustainability and NZEB compliance.
Duration: 4 days
Certification: QQI Level 5 Minor Award (10 credits)
Special Purpose Award in Sustainable Construction Skills for Energy Conservation
Upon completion of:
- QQI Level 5 in Retrofitting Skills
- QQI Level 5 in External Wall Insulation
- QQI Level 5 in Airtightness & Vapour Control
Learners will obtain a Special Purpose Award in Sustainable Construction Skills for Energy Conservation (30 credits)
Who is this for?
If you are looking to learn NZEB and retrofit skills, then our courses are for you. Whether you are:
- Working in the construction or retrofit sector at any level (e.g. tradesperson, project manager, site supervisor, architect, architectural technician)
- An apprentice working in the construction or retrofit sector
- Interested in pursuing a career in the construction or retrofit sector
- Employed and looking to develop new digital skills for your job
- Currently not in the labour force but wish to upskill for future employment.Programmes cater for beginners to intermediate to advanced learners, with training groups customised for the sector.
Programmes cater for beginners to intermediate to advanced learners, with training groups customised for the sector.
Course bookings
To request a place on one of our courses, go to fetchcourses.ie, enter the keyword NZEB and set the location to Sligo.
Search and click on your preferred course.
You can also contact us directly and we would be happy to help find the right course for you – see contact details below.