Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:41:30 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34590#Comment_34590 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34590#Comment_34590 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:29:53 +0100 just_looking
I currently work within sustainable building and have done for 5 years. Before that I was a small time house developer (refurbs) and landlord. I find myself looking to move into consultancy, particularly within the design and specification stage. Part of my current employers organisation is a consultancy, and I find myself almost daily answering calls and emails to the consultants on various design issues, as well as my own clients and on site. I feel I have the knowledge and understanding, both in theory and on site practically. Scottish based, so this may have an impact.

My issue is persuading potential future employers (or go self-employed) that I do have the skills. I have researched various routes and opportunities to certify myself in some areas, and am looking at:

CIBSE - Low Carbon Consultant (Design) - simple course and assesment, nice title to have !
BRE/Stroma et al - CSH assessor - expensive, narrow field of 'use' but opens up many other possibilities.
BRE - BREEAM assesor - expensive, narrow field of 'use' but opens up many other possibilities, will CSH overtake it in some areas?
AECB - Carbon Lite - great course (the best it seems), expensive, lacking in commercial opportunity?

It seems the CIBSE one is worth doing immediately - it is 'cheap' and gives me a nice title, and I am confident I can pass having done the online trial paper and got all but one question correct.

CSH vs BREEAM - should I see it this way? both courses have commercial opportunity and employers seem to like. It *seems* CSH is the 'future'....

Any other suggestions, thoughts, ideas of 'routes' in welcome!

Please forgive the annonymity, I don't want to rock the boat with current (fantastic) employer.

Thank you.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34594#Comment_34594 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34594#Comment_34594 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:44:02 +0100 StuartB
I would suggest doing any courses you can that are free/low cost and simple.

Next I would speak to architects in Scotland who lean towards sustainable building/restoration to find out who would actually use your service. Small firms may be happy to buy in the knowledge on a consultancy basis. How much would they pay for it? Is there currently a market for it? etc etc. Try and do as much as you can to gauge what the potential demand might be.

Good luck!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34598#Comment_34598 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2672&Focus=34598#Comment_34598 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:55:56 +0100 Matt