Concert’Action Interactive Training Programme in de Bonne

Concert’action is a training programme that raises awareness and trains construction companies in energy performance issues.

Background

The sustainable neighbourhood de Bonne in Grenoble is one of the four CONCERTO projects in France. The cities are interested in such a training programme for all actors involved in the construction sector. The new sustainable neighbourhood is built on a former military area of 8.5 ha.

Objectives

Raise awareness and train construction companies in energy performance issues so as to make them implement new and innovative technologies assuring high energy efficiency and use of renewable energy resources.

Project description

The Concert’action training programme was first presented, in November 2007, at a conference for concerned companies and constructors, working in masonry, façades, joinery, electricity, installation and heating. They were encouraged to attend free training modules which took place in early 2008. Each of the modules consisted of a theoretical part, fieldwork and the visit of a building site. For example, participants assisted in air leak detection by means of a blower door and infrared cameras, showing the performance of the exterior insulation.

Results

Craftsmen, constructors and architects attended the training modules and thus improved their skills.

Positive feedback:

• High number of participants (70 participants, 40 companies).
• High relevance and realistic presentation concerning costs and efficiency.
• Successful awareness raising.

Negative feedback:

• Not enough information material was provided.
• The participation of different kinds of stakeholders was not balanced enough.
• Craftsmen should only participate in the modules that are relevant for their sector. In 2009, the Concert’action training programme was adopted by two other French cities: for Lyon Confluence, another CONCERTO project, and in the framework of an insulation campaign for private collective housing (co-ownerships) in Grenoble.

Recommendations

Because of their influence, the municipalities have a real role to incite building actors implementing training sessions. Instead of training on site, try to elaborate training sessions in Building Training Centres making the sessions more accessible to a variety of craftsmen. After this training on site, the local Training Center GRETA developped such sessions, accessible for a wider public, on the following topics: outside insulation, air tightness, solar thermal and photovoltaics.

Further Information

Name: Jérôme Buffière
Position: Project Manager
Organisation: Energy and Climate Agency of Grenoble
Tel. : +33 4 76 00 19 09
e-mail: jerome.buffiere@alec-grenoble.org