MP Emily Darlington (left) opens the Green Skills Centre with Milton Keynes Mayor Marie Bradburn and Milton Keynes College Group's principal and CEO Sally Alexander (right).
A HI-TECH Green Skills Centre to train the experts needed to install energy storage systems, electric car charge points and solar panels has opened at Milton Keynes College.
Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington officially opened the centre at the college’s Chaffron Way campus. It will train precisely the skills that the city and country needs to meet net zero climate change targets, she said.
The courses have been designed with significant input from employers including SJD Electrical Contractors & Engineers and solar and electric vehicle specialist Eden. As the centre expands its offering, talks will continue with employers to make sure the curriculum remains in line with their requirements, said the college group’s chief executive and principal Sally Alexander.
“We know we will be teaching in-demand green technologies,” she added.
The centre has been built with funding from the Local Skills Improvement Fund. Research in the city established the knowledge and expertise that companies feel they need if they are to play their part in the green revolution.
The skills required for energy storage system installation, EV charge points and solar panels were the most in demand from employers.
“A lot of these installations need two or three tradespeople with different skills, making them more complicated and expensive for consumers,” said the college’s head of school for engineering and construction Clifford Clarke.
“What we are doing is showing people how to carry out the entire job to a high standard.
“We are looking at employers and electrical professionals looking to expand into these more sustainable areas of the sector. They can sign up for one course, two or even all three, as we know all the skills we are teaching are going to be in increasingly high demand.”
Nationally, the government plans to build 1.5 million new homes to higher energy standards. There are also 25 million existing homes requiring retrofitting,” said Ms Darlington.
Having opened the Green Skills Centre, she said: “This is so timely as it means we can help businesses get the skills they need and it is absolutely the right thing to be doing. I am so excited and I think you are going to have lots of demand.
“We know how much green issues matter to young people who will want a career in this so it is huge for those looking to retrain and a chance for young people coming up who want those cutting-edge skills that are going to help us as a country deliver the homes we need, deliver them warm enough and save on our energy bills.”
The green improvements made as a result of the skills learned at the centre will also support Milton Keynes City Council’s local sustainability targets.
“While the courses we will be delivering at the Green Skills Centre will initially be targeted towards existing professionals, we are hoping to expand our offering to a wider range of learners in the future, enabling us to support our wider communities with preparing for a more sustainable future,” said Sally Alexander.
Find out more at Green Skills Centre – MK College
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