Train the Trainers: Train Chinese Construction Sector SMEs in Energy Saving Techniques and Technologies

February 25, 2011

On Friday, February 25th, the SWITCH-Asia Project “Train the trainers” held a conference in Shanghai on policies to achieve energy-efficient buildings. The event provided an overview of the policies in place in Europe and in China, supplying an updated overview on the status of regulations in both regions.

For more information please visit: www.train-the-trainers.net

On November 8 to 11, the “Train the Trainers” Project held its 2nd training session in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province. The activity was organized by the SWITCH-Asia Project in cooperation with the Department of Construction of Anhui Province, the Anhui Foreign Affairs Office, the Anhui Technical Institute of Construction Engineering and the French agency for international trade UBIFRANCE. The three-day training session was joined by about 80 participants from Hefei and neighboring cities. Trainees included different positions, such as construction project managers, senior architects as well as relevant government officials. The Project was particularly happy to also acknowledge the active involvement of a number of female trainees in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

For instance Director Xu from the Anhui Branch of Great earth architecture & engineers attended the training, further to the recommendation of her friends who participated in training before. As company executive, Ms. Xu is well aware of the market conditions. Practical training gave her a "perfect impression”, she told us. From the building materials used during the training to the construction and application techniques taught, she found all of the content new and innovative compared to traditional practices.She stressed how education and change of mindset within the construction industry are crucial to grant an effective and thorough change in the current practices which are too often focused on visual displays of new building equipment alone. Equipment is surely important - she explained - but construction techniques and application are to be prioritized to allow for a truly sustainable building.
The “Train the trainers” Project will keep running its awareness-raising and practical training activities in Anhui Province and the greater Shanghai Region. More details on the upcoming sessions will be posted on this website.

On July 28th, the SWITCH-Project “Train the trainers” held a full-day Conference at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, EU Pavilion. With the opening of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, issues of sustainable construction have drawn the utmost attention of a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, architects, designers and real-estate developers. The Pavilions offer excellent showcases of energy-efficient buildings and construction materials, in line with the focus of the SWITCH-Asia Project “Train the trainers” on Green buildings.
The “Train the trainers” Conference on “Sustainable energy-efficient construction practices and new materials, with showcases live from Expo” brought together 130 Chinese practitioners, authorities and the academia to elaborate on the achievements, challenges and new opportunities available in the field of ‘green construction’, with the aim of raising awareness and further promoting the adoption of more sustainable construction practices.
The Conference was officially inaugurated by Doctor Ioana Kraft, General Manager of the European Chamber in Shanghai and by Prof. Yang, Dean at the Tongji University School of Materials, Science and Engineering that partners up with the European Chamber and the Swedish IVL Institute in implementing the “Train the trainers” Project.
Johan Cauwenbergh, Minister Counsellor, Head of Operations with the EU Delegation to China and Mongolia, delivered an opening speech on the relevance of the EU-funded SWITCH-Asia Programme and of Sino-European cooperation at large on issues of energy-efficient construction, sustainable growth and environmental impact. The “Train the trainers” Project was introduced in-depth by EUCCC Project Leader Silvia Sartori and Tongji University Project Coordinator Zhang Yongming.
Thereafter, the thematic session started with Professor Yan Bilan from the China Construction Materials Research Institute who presented the status of sustainable construction material development. This overview was followed by a North China’s case-study on challenges and solutions to energy-efficient construction practices and materials, thoroughly illustrated by Ms Peng Mengyue from the Centre of Science and Technology Construction of the Ministry of Housing Urban Rural Development (MoHURD).
The morning session concluded with some Expo-specific flavor as Professor Han Jihong of the Shanghai Building Institute of Building Sciences depicted “Green technologies application for typical pavilions in the Shanghai Expo”.
After a networking lunch held at the Belgium Pavilion, which also hosts the European Pavilion, an intensive afternoon session took place, featuring  additional outstanding speakers and technical insights. The Conference wrapped up with a VIP tour of European Pavilions, including those of Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

On Monday, July 5, EU Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger paid a visit to the training site of the SWITCH-Asia Project “Train the trainers” implemented by the European Chamber in partnership with Tongji University School of Materials Science and Engineering and Swedish Institute IVL.
Commissioner Oettinger was accompanied by members of the European Commission in Brussels and of the European Delegation to China in Beijing. He was warmly welcomed by a delegation of Tongji University, headed by President Pei Gang and of the European Chamber in Shanghai, led by Chairman Piter de Jong. Commissioner Oettinger and President Pei held a lively exchange of views on issues of energy efficiency, sustainable development and the role of education. They acknowledged the importance of Sino-European partnerships and expressed their sincere interest in expanding mutual cooperation in these fields. Following the high-level meeting, Commissioner Oettinger visited a practical training session of the “Train the trainers” Project. Tongji University Project Coordinator Professor Zhang introduced the construction techniques being taught as well as the materials and tools being used. Commissioner Oettinger engaged in a conversation with present attendees, further enquiring about their experience with energy-saving architecture and the added-value gained through the EU-funded Project “Train the trainers”.

From May 13 to 15, 2011 the Train the Trainers project team took part in the exhibition at the 4th Jiangsu Energy-Saving & Advanced Building Materials Exhibition held at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center. The project participated together with a delegation from the Nanjing Technical Vocational College which serves as Jiangsu training partner to the Project. A highly reputed educational institution, the Nanjing Technical Vocational College is particularly well known in the local construction industry for the practical training it offers to senior and junior industry professionals. The participation to the exhibition raised awareness about “Train the trainers” among visitors from Jiangsu and neighboring Provinces, encouraging their active involvement into the project.