A scheme to create green jobs in the Dyfi Valley has secured government funding.

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) and Severn Wye Energy Agency have been awarded funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund for a joint project aimed at providing sustainability skills training, supporting green jobs and increasing knowledge and understanding of environmental solutions.

Those behind the the project say it will help address the need to take action on climate change whilst helping with the economic recovery of mid Wales through job creation and skills provision, and by piloting and researching larger scale developments that would benefit the people, environment and economy of mid Wales for many years to come.

The funding supports the creation of a ‘Retrofit and Sustainable Energy Hub’ drop-in and training centre at Severn Wye’s community sustainability centre, the Hive, in Llandrindod Wells.

The Hub will provide energy- and cost-saving advice and grant support for energy improvement measures, with a specific focus on supporting low-income households in Powys.

It will also support the development of local installer supply chains and networks, with training and advice for construction professionals and energy installers.

At the CAT eco-centre near Machynlleth a new pilot scheme will offer innovative training courses on sustainable and energy efficient construction and retrofit, with a new Retrofitting Bootcamp providing practical skills and sector understanding.

Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas, Severn Wye CEO said: “Around one fifth of UK greenhouse gas emissions comes from our homes, and the bulk of this is from heating.

"At the same time nearly 10,000 households in Powys suffer from fuel poverty - well above the national average.

"Improvements to insulation and heating systems can help address these issues, but we urgently need to train more people in retrofit skills, and householders need advice on what they can do and what support is available to them.

"This project helps to address these issues whilst supporting and creating jobs within mid Wales.”

The project also includes the exploratory stages of a series of planned improvements at the CAT eco centre.

With a new and updated visitor experience and a new sustainable skills hub, the development will allow many more people to access the skills and knowledge to help with the transition to zero carbon whilst creating new jobs and helping boost the local economy.

Over the coming months a feasibility study will explore options for the project and look at the benefits to the people, environment and economy of mid Wales.

Community consultation will be at the heart of the plans, allowing local residents to feed in knowledge, insights and ideas to help create new and improved experiences that meet the needs of the local community as well as visitors to the area.

CAT head of development Eileen Kinsman said: “By providing skills, training and advice in energy efficiency and retrofit measures, this investment will help Mid Wales play a key role in addressing the climate emergency whilst helping with local economic recovery.

"At the same time, the pilot studies and feasibility studies mean that this eight-month project will help to build the foundations for larger developments that will create lasting benefits for the region and the wider environment.”

CAT plans to start the feasibility study in December, with community consultations taking place in the spring.

The UK Community Renewal Fund is aimed at creating opportunities to trial new approaches and innovative ideas that invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment at the local level. It is administered by local authorities at a county level, with six successful projects in Powys.

CAT’s wider development plans form one of the shortlisted projects in the Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and the feasibility study is a key stage in ensuring that the project is ready to be rolled out.

The UK Community Renewal Funding is therefore helping pave the way to unlock additional funding for the mid Wales region.

The UK Community Renewal Funding is dependent upon selected projects receiving and signing a funding agreement, although projects may begin before this is in place.