Hackney Council’s partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation, Build East Skills Centre, is creating exciting opportunities for local residents to develop skills in retrofitting and sustainable construction -  key areas in the rapidly growing green economy.

The Council has provided £60,000 of funding through charges placed on local developments known as section 106 contributions for a training facility at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park centre, which will be used to develop these specialist expertise. This will create London’s first base for training in retrofitting, with an emphasis on supporting local people from diverse backgrounds to secure long-term sustainable jobs, developed through training programmes and courses at the centre.

The investment is part of Hackney Council’s wider ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and a key focus will be engaging young people from Hackney, as well as women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have access to emerging opportunities in the retrofit and green construction sectors. Build East will deliver retrofit courses, offering hands-on training and  work experience with local employers.

A launch event for the centre took place on Tuesday (11 March) and was attended by Hackney Council, the London Legacy Development Corporation, Build East and a range of industry employers.

"Pursuing a greener future can unlock significant economic and social opportunities, not least of all a more inclusive economy - an economy that works for all our residents. This is part of my commitment to build a fairer borough for all. 

Today, we’re not just investing in a training facility; we’re investing in our residents and in a future where Hackney leads the way in sustainable, equitable growth. This project provides real opportunities for our residents to thrive in meaningful careers that support our borough’s climate goals."

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney 

"Construction and retrofitting are at the heart of the green economy, yet this sector reflects many of the inequalities that exist. Women make up just 14% of construction workers, and the numbers are even lower for ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and local young people in Hackney and London. However, I know the sector is aware of these disparities and taking steps to close the gap.

The green economy gives us the chance to flip the script. At Hackney, we have a vision for a greener, more inclusive economy and we are already seeing progress in the construction sector where young people from Hackney are playing an increasing role in retrofit projects, where women are not just on-site but running teams. 

We need to think radically. This isn't about incremental tweaks; it's about rewriting the rules. Every building we retrofit, every energy system we upgrade, every green job we create is an opportunity to challenge the status quo and make the workforce reflect the incredible diversity of Hackney and London."

Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities 

"We are seeking to establish Build East as the green construction skills centre of excellence in the region, supporting the London growth plan aim to become a net zero- climate resilient city. 

To deliver this and mitigate climate change, we require a step change in workforce development by delivering the appropriate skills, training, and qualifications to meet current and growing skills gaps for green jobs and forecast for the future. 

We welcome and applaud Hackney’s commitment and investment in Build East with these training rigs already showing a real impact, with courses and LLW-paid placements already started and job opportunities to come. This is another exciting example of our work to deliver inclusive growth at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the benefit of east Londoners."

Michelle May, Executive Director of Inclusive Growth, of the London Legacy Development Corporation

"Through our partnership at Build East, we have a real opportunity to transform lives - helping local people into sustainable, long-term careers while also contributing to a greener future.

Collaborations like this bring together industry, training providers, and local partners to open doors into construction and develop training that meets the needs of the local employers. We’re not just building careers—we’re addressing a growing skills shortage and building a more sustainable industry.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get started, our team is here to offer advice, guidance, and hands-on training to help you take that first step."

Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre