Top courses
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Great course. CAT is such a demanding, stimulating and rewarding place. I have learnt new skills, made good friends and gained much confidence about materials I had no idea about despite my years of experience. A big thank you for you.
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- Course
- Machynlleth
- Advanced
- Different dates available
- 7h - 1 Week
...The course delivers an experienced understanding of Renewable Energy Systems through practical and theoretical sessions, with tours of CAT’s on-site renewable systems... Learn about: Carbon emissions, Energy technologies, Policy and economics...
...The course delivers an experienced understanding of Renewable Energy Systems through practical and theoretical sessions, with tours of CAT’s on-site renewable systems... Learn about: Carbon emissions, Energy technologies, Policy and economics...
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Great course. CAT is such a demanding, stimulating and rewarding place. I have learnt new skills, made good friends and gained much confidence about materials I had no idea about despite my years of experience. A big thank you for you.
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I’m enjoying every minute of my study. Content is superb as are info and links connected with them.
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- Short course
- Blended in Machynlleth
- Beginner
- Different dates available
- 4 Days
...This course looks at ways of refurbishing and renovating a building in line with the most up to date ecologically sound techniques and using a variety of eco materials... Learn about: Energy Efficiency, Healthy buildings, Hazardous building materials...
...This course looks at ways of refurbishing and renovating a building in line with the most up to date ecologically sound techniques and using a variety of eco materials... Learn about: Energy Efficiency, Healthy buildings, Hazardous building materials...
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I’m enjoying every minute of my study. Content is superb as are info and links connected with them.
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I have enjoyed my time at CAT from the beginning to end. The course was very valuable in helping me to develop a new career as a freelancer as a sustainable business advisor.
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- Master
- Machynlleth
- Different dates available
- 18 Months
...to students' resumes. The 22-month course allows graduates to respond to the urgent need for a greater understanding of sustainability issues in the built environment... Learn about: Built Environment, Environment design, Renewable energy engineering...
...to students' resumes. The 22-month course allows graduates to respond to the urgent need for a greater understanding of sustainability issues in the built environment... Learn about: Built Environment, Environment design, Renewable energy engineering...
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I have enjoyed my time at CAT from the beginning to end. The course was very valuable in helping me to develop a new career as a freelancer as a sustainable business advisor.
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Thank you for organizing everything. I felt welcome since the first time I arrived, whole experience has been brilliant. I enjoyed everything; from the practical studies to the student project debates.
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Overall, the teaching staff was very knowledgeable and patient. Even though I’m an academic and wasn’t completely committed to this course, a great deal of what you taught was absorbed.
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- Course
- Blended in Machynlleth
- Advanced
- Different dates available
- 7h - 5 Days
...This course will examine modern wood fuelled heating for domestic use. Covering different types of biomass fuels as well as boiler installation... Learn about: Installation of biomass appliances, Feasibility study, Appliance decommissioning...
...This course will examine modern wood fuelled heating for domestic use. Covering different types of biomass fuels as well as boiler installation... Learn about: Installation of biomass appliances, Feasibility study, Appliance decommissioning...
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Thank you for organizing everything. I felt welcome since the first time I arrived, whole experience has been brilliant. I enjoyed everything; from the practical studies to the student project debates.
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Overall, the teaching staff was very knowledgeable and patient. Even though I’m an academic and wasn’t completely committed to this course, a great deal of what you taught was absorbed.
← | → see all
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I honestly would like to thank all the staff at CAT for the valuable experience taking this course. My understanding of all things environmental has opened doors for me. Overall, the programme is outstanding.
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- Course
- Machynlleth
- Beginner
- Different dates available
- 28h - 5 Days
...How will the course be taught? The course is very hands on. There are evening sessions on straw bale theory supported by AV presentations. What students will get out of... Learn about: Natural building material, Sustainable Building Materials, Thermal mass...
...How will the course be taught? The course is very hands on. There are evening sessions on straw bale theory supported by AV presentations. What students will get out of... Learn about: Natural building material, Sustainable Building Materials, Thermal mass...
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I honestly would like to thank all the staff at CAT for the valuable experience taking this course. My understanding of all things environmental has opened doors for me. Overall, the programme is outstanding.
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I must say I utterly have enjoyed doing the MSc. veryone involved with making the course happen have done a great job. I would recommend it.
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- Short course
- Blended in Machynlleth
- Intermediate
- Different dates available
- 1 Day
...Join us at the Centre for Alternative Technology to understand Solar PV off-grid systems. This course is designed to be taken after the Introduction to Solar... Learn about: Photovoltaic solar power installations, Solar Panel, Design techniques...
...Join us at the Centre for Alternative Technology to understand Solar PV off-grid systems. This course is designed to be taken after the Introduction to Solar... Learn about: Photovoltaic solar power installations, Solar Panel, Design techniques...
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I must say I utterly have enjoyed doing the MSc. veryone involved with making the course happen have done a great job. I would recommend it.
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Reviews on Centre for Alternative Technology (12)
Reviews
Centre rating
Recommended
Masters of Sustainable Architecture
Former Student
Solar P.V. Off-grid Systems
Former Student
MSc Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment
Former Student
Building with Straw Bales
Former Student
MSc Sustainability and Adaptation
Former Student
Biomass for Installers: H005DE (HETAS)
Former Student
Biomass for Installers: H005DE (HETAS)
Former Student
Energy Provision (inc Renewable Energy)
Former Student
Eco Refurbishment
Former Student
MSc Sustainability in Energy Provision and Demand Management*
Former Student
MSc Sustainability and Adaptation
Former Student
MSc Sustainable Food and Natural Resources*
Former Student
More information
History
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was founded in 1973 on the site of the disused Llwyngwern slate quarry near Machynlleth, in Mid Wales.
When founder Gerard Morgan-Grenville started the organisation, he conceived "a project to show the nature of the problem and show ways of going forward." It was originally a community dedicated to eco-friendly principles and a 'test bed' for new ideas and technologies - the Visitor Centre was a later addition.
In the beginning, progress in the quarry was slow, and the early attempts to raise money were frustrating. Volunteers worked long hours, often by candlelight - there was no electricity on the site at that time.
Liz Todd, one of the early volunteers, remembers shrews running across the table during mealtimes and eating from plates. An old engine shed with a leaking roof was the only habitable building on site at that time.
Slowly, increasing numbers of interested people came to CAT, and many stayed as volunteers. As more workers arrived, they brought a wide range of skills and experience.
In 1974, The Duke of Edinburgh visited CAT. After his visit, some members of staff suggested turning part of the site into a Visitor Centre, a permanent exhibition to explain CAT's work and generate interest in alternative technology. It opened to the public in 1975.
Since then, CAT has grown to become Europe's leading eco-centre. It is staffed by 90 permanent staff and volunteers all year round, and a further 60 people during the summer months. We receive around 65,000 visitors every year, who come to learn about our work.
CAT (as a Visitor Centre) celebrated its 30th birthday in 2005. Far from settling down to a quiet life, the Centre is constantly changing and adapting. We continue to produce exciting new projects, schemes and ideas, building on over three decades of knowledge and experience.
Description
Nestled in the foothills of Snowdonia, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) offers positive solutions and training towards making Britain and beyond zero carbon. Our range of postgraduate and practical skills courses draw on more than 40 years of experience in sustainability, renewable energy, architecture and the built environment. Join one of our programmes and gain the practical skills to launch your career in making change happen.