Birmingham City University is hosting an exciting, interactive course offering regional SMEs the opportunity to gain vital skills in data analytics and machine learning, in order to help you make more informed decisions to improve your business.
Posted 25 November 2021
The two-day course focuses on data and case studies with built environment and energy performance applications in mind. It will provide the tools needed to better monitor a building’s energy intake and make informed decisions to reduce it.
Highly sought after skills
The continuing professional development (CPD) course is taking place on Wednesday 15 – Thursday 16 December and will give businesses in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) an introduction into a highly sought after set of skills.
The course is delivered online or in person to suit your personal commitments, and offers you the chance to:
- Learn in interactive, focused groups with other professionals from your sector
- Improve your skills in advanced principles of data analytics, including data mining, data visualisation and reporting
- Work on a real case study, enabling you to learn how to analyse data and create comprehensive insights.
You will learn from BCU expert trainers, who will share their considerable expertise and a complete understanding of the latest data analysis methods and tools.
The course is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Help achieve your business and sustainability goals
The CPD course is ideal for organisations in the built environment, construction and property-related sectors, who need to react to ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions.
It is also suitable for energy performance professionals and those responsible for driving environmental sustainability and net zero in their company.
With the Government introducing the Green Industrial Revolution – which includes a ban on gas boilers on newly-built homes and 600,000 new heat pumps by 2028 – and the Green Deal helping people to make energy-saving improvements, the course arrives at a time when energy efficiency is high on the agenda.
It is particularly prevalent for the GBSLEP, which has been identified as one of the worst areas in the UK for energy efficiency in its housing stock.
After all, businesses of all sizes and concerns also need to consider their environmental footprint – with three-quarters of SME staff stating that sustainability is important to them, organisations run the risk of losing key talent if they do not address these issues.
This course is a timely link to Government ambitions, due to new homes having to meet the Future Homes Standard from 2025, social housing to be EPC-C rated by 2030-35, as well as 27 million homes in the UK currently being in need of retrofit interventions.
With there being a real need to measure, monitor and evidence the reductions, having the skills to interpret data will be essential.
This course will provide you with the attributes needed to assess your data sets and utilise them to make positive changes.
Make better data-based decisions
Upon completion of the course, you will have a solid understanding of data processing, enabling you to import, clean and visualise complex datasets.
You will be able to apply data mining principles and utilise machine learning principles to solve problems and effectively report findings.
You will receive a certificate for a non-credit bearing CPD from BCU.
Among other things, the course will help you to evaluate your business data to help improve your environmental sustainability.
There will be opportunities for hands-on learning and work on case studies, all delivered in an interactive and engaging atmosphere.
The CPD course is offered as part of BCU’s Ecrofit research project.
Ecrofit looks to assist businesses in identifying the most effective renewable energy and retrofit solutions, balancing requirements for low carbon emissions, cost and comfort.
Gaining these data skills are essential for businesses hoping to reach net zero, with Sustainability West Midlands commenting:
“We need to find innovative solutions and nurture a range of skills to help achieve our targets.
“This includes skills in data analytics and how we can use data to understand the performance of buildings so we can choose the best zero carbon solutions.”
Interested in attending Ecrofit’s two-day CPD course? Register now via the Eventbrite link.
