BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation) has officially reopened its Innovation Campus in Hamilton, launching the new Mass Timber Centre of Excellence and Scotland's National Retrofit Centre.
The event, marking the opening of the BE-ST Fest 2025 Fringe Festival, brought together industry leaders, academics, and policymakers to showcase the newly developed facilities.
Among those in attendance were Borders College Principal Pete Smith and Head of Sector for Applied Construction & Engineering Greg Steel.
The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence now houses £1.5 million of new equipment, including the UK’s largest commercially available CNC machine. With the capacity to produce approximately 8,000m³ of mass timber annually, the centre is set to strengthen local supply chains, create jobs, and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
The National Retrofit Centre has also been relaunched following an extensive deep retrofit, supported in part by a £1.2 million grant from Scotland's Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund. The centre will serve as a hub for training, hands-on learning, and collaboration, helping to scale up retrofit solutions across the UK. It showcases best practice in the sector and provides opportunities for direct engagement with materials and Retrofit solutions.
In parallel, BE-ST is introducing training for the practical element of the Low Carbon Passport, with Borders College playing a key role in developing the underpinning online knowledge content.
Greg Steel, Head of Sector, Applied Construction & Engineering, commented:
“The National Retrofit Centre will accelerate Scotland’s retrofit skills - combining expert knowledge with practical, hands-on training. Their role is to guide and support Scotland’s transition towards decarbonising its existing buildings and move towards a more sustainable future.
“In addition, we are delighted to be a partner in the development and delivery of the new Low-Carbon Passport, which will be offered to over 1,200 construction workers.”
The Low Carbon Passport is a free training programme equipping construction professionals with essential low-carbon skills. Delivered by BE-ST and funded by the CITB Industry Impact Fund, it combines online learning and hands-on training to support both new entrants and the existing workforce. Participants receive a certificate, with the course aiming for CPD accreditation by 2026.
Photo: Image showing a roof section, with laminated mass-timber panel (internal surface), air-tight membrane, wood fibre insulation, cork insulation, and waterproof membrane roof covering.