The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is highlighting innovative projects supported through its Industry Impact Fund (IIF) to equip the sector with the capabilities required for the UK's transition to net zero.

CITB is showcasing three employer-led, IIF-backed programmes designed to help construction employers and the wider industry move towards a greener future. The IIF finances innovative, employer-driven activity, with net zero among six core categories eligible for funding.

The initiatives include Balfour Beatty's Low Carbon Passport Programme, the Future Workforce Programme developed by Berkeley Group in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and its Future Workforce Leadership Group, and Timber in Construction 101 from Donaldson Timber Systems.

Balfour Beatty's Low Carbon Passport Programme, the official sponsor initiative of Net Zero Week 2026, is a new accredited qualification created to address the significant shortage of low-carbon construction skills in Scotland and across the UK. Enrolment is free, with courses running until November 2026, and the training is designed for both existing professionals and new entrants to gain practical, future-focused skills.

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The two-year Future Workforce project from Berkeley Group, delivered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and its Future Workforce Leadership Group, is producing bite-sized learning such as videos, animations and tailored training to help colleges teach relevant net zero skills and to support SMEs in understanding and accessing net zero business opportunities. All resources will be free for at least three years to maximise long-term impact, broaden industry benefit and provide a scalable model to strengthen the UK workforce.

Donaldson Timber Systems' Timber in Construction 101, also backed by the IIF, brings industry and academia together to build a skilled and diverse workforce capable of delivering sustainable construction at scale. Launched at Futurebuild in May this year, it will offer more than 15 fully funded modules for construction and built environment professionals, apprentices and college students, ranging from introductory content to advanced technical training.

The construction sector is a major source of carbon emissions, accounting for around 40% of the UK's total output, giving the industry a pivotal role in meeting the 2050 net zero target.

Vanessa Freeman, Head of Grants and Funding at CITB, said: "The construction industry has a vital role to play in helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions, but doing so will require a workforce equipped with the right skills and knowledge.

"Through our Industry Impact Fund, we're supporting employers and training providers to develop accessible training and new qualifications, helping construction employers build the workforce skills they need to deliver sustainable construction.

"This Net Zero Week, we're pleased to be championing three amazing projects that are all contributing to the development of the UK's net zero workforce."