NEWS: From Refugee Training To The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive And A Newborn Okapi

[00:00:00] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices. Constructive Voices, the podcast for the construction people with news, views and expert interviews. [00:00:09] Speaker B: Welcome to the first edition of the Constructive Voices News. Our short news podcasts focus on highlighting stories of positive change in the built environment. Plus we feature conservation news from time to time. I'm Jackie de Burca and today we will be bringing you some positive stories of one company who is making waves when it comes to Net zero. Another business has special innovation of ways of training potential new staff members that often gives refugees a new opportunity in their life. And last but certainly not least, we have a good news conservation story for you. Stay tuned. [00:00:43] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices. [00:00:46] Speaker C: In Amersfoort, in the Netherlands, a moment of celebration marked both fresh starts and significant milestones. A new group of participants has just begun their journey with the Arcadis Future Academy, while another group celebrated the completion of theirs. Over the past six months, these individuals, many of whom arrived in the Netherlands as refugees, have worked to develop key skills, build professional confidence and prepare for careers in a new country. The program is the result of a collaboration between Arkadis Refugee Talent Hub, New Dutch Connections and etaltrainer. Together they aim to help participants navigate the Dutch job market and strengthen both soft and and technical skills. One participant summed it up by saying, I have come to know the Dutch work culture, strengthened my soft and hard skills and I'm now fully prepared for the next step in my career. Among those taking part was Ayub Choban, originally from Iraq. After arriving in the Netherlands in 2014, he faced the challenges of learning a new language and finding employment. With a background in architecture and construction management, Ayub joined the Future Academy and recently secured a contract with Arcadis. Participants were also supported by mentors known as buddies, employees who volunteered their time to guide them through CV writing, internal networking and day to day life in the workplace. For those involved, the Future Academy represents more than training. It's a gateway to opportunity, integration and independence. [00:02:20] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices. [00:02:22] Speaker D: Boig's construction has announced a clear direction to cut its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 across both direct operations and its value chain. And they're not just talking, they're building the roadmap themselves. From designing low carbon buildings and infrastructure to rethinking materials and methods, the company is investing in eco design, reuse strategies and innovative techniques that keep environmental impact front of mind. One key initiative is life cycle Analysis, or lca, which is now integrated at every stage of their projects, allowing teams to measure and reduce emissions. From design through to delivery. They're also scaling up concrete reuse, bio based materials and digital tools like building information modeling, all to meet the demands of a net zero future. Importantly, the company says this transformation isn't possible without people, so training and upskilling staff across all roles is a major priority, ensuring the carbon literacy becomes core to how they work. Boig's construction is calling on partners and industry peers to join in this systemic shift, proving that building a low carbon society means rethinking everything from procurement to project handover. And as the industry races toward 2030 targets, one thing is decarbonisation is no longer an add on, it's the foundation. [00:03:47] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices before we tell. [00:03:50] Speaker B: You about the conservation story, I'd like to let you know about a podcast episode that has just been released and is on topic for the last piece of news. This this is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, a game changer for European building sustainability with Stephen Barrett of the Irish Green Building Council. The episode is jam packed with valuable takeaways and ideas. You can tune in on your preferred podcast app or on the Constructive Voices website, which is constructive-voices.com and now over for this interesting and positive story. [00:04:23] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices in some welcome. [00:04:27] Speaker E: News for wildlife, conservation and animal lovers alike, Dublin Zoo has just celebrated the birth of a rare and endangered female okapi calf born on 19 June to proud parents Lumara and Kitabu. The new arrival marks the first okapi birth at the zoo in over a decade, a significant moment for the species and the zoo's ongoing conservation efforts. Okapis are native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and are often referred to as the forest giraffe. With their velvety dark coats and zebra like stripes on their legs, they are one of the world's most elusive mammals and sadly they are endangered with fewer than 10,000 believed to remain in the wild. Dublin Zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Program, which aims to protect species like the okapi through carefully managed breeding initiatives. For now, the calf, whose name has not yet been announced, is bonding with her mother in a private habitat behind the scenes, but is expected to be visible to the public in the coming weeks. The zoo says the birth is a testament to the hard work of its animal care and conservation teams and offers a rare chance for visitors to learn about one of nature's lesser known wonders. [00:05:39] Speaker A: This is Constructive Voices. [00:05:42] Speaker B: What a wonderful story. Congratulations to all involved at Dublin Zoo. That's it from us for today. Thank you for joining us for these built environment positive news stories. [00:05:51] Speaker A: This is constructive voices.