Colleges join forces to tackle the green skills gap as the UK marches towards its net zero target
……………………………….
A GROUP of colleges in the South East Midlands have joined forces in a campaign aimed at further developing their work on meeting local skills needs.
More than £5 million was awarded to the Colleges of the South-East Midlands via the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund with significant support from Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes Chambers of Commerce.
Between them, Moulton College in Northampton, Northampton College and The Bedford College Group – which has campuses in Northamptonshire – along with Barnfield College in Luton and the Milton Keynes College Group, educate and train almost 60,000 people every year, working with around 9,000 businesses across the region.
The funding was split over four projects around green skills, improving communication with employers, digital skills and healthcare.
The green skills project was led by The Bedford College Group, focusing on developing the skills needed as the UK moves towards net zero and the need increases for trained specialists to install devices including heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
At Northampton College, refurbishment of existing space has created a bespoke Green Skills Centre.
Jason Lancaster, principal of Northampton College, said: “Green skills are going to be the driver of economic growth over the coming years so it is vital that colleges work together to ensure we are supplying employers with a ready-to-go workforce that is well-versed in the modern techniques that will turbocharge the region’s recovery and propel it to prosperity.”
Further work between colleges will see the expansion of a green skills curriculum fit for the future.
Yiannis Koursis, chief executive of The Bedford College Group, said: “By collaborating with employers and our CoSEM partners, we are ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is equipped to tackle the challenges of today, whether it is achieving net zero, advancing healthcare or driving innovation in digital sectors.
“These projects showcase the power of partnership in delivering transformative outcomes for both learners and businesses, ultimately strengthening our local and national economy.”
A digital skills project fronted by Milton Keynes College has been central to the development of a portfolio of new courses to provide the skilled digital workforce so much in demand in the city and across the region. Curriculum development is taking place in collaboration with local employers in order to ensure learners are being armed with the most in-demand competencies.
These courses will be shared with all the CoSEM colleges. This project saw significant investment in digital equipment for all colleges to support the delivery of new curricula, including a significant upgrade of Moulton College’s wi-fi to enhance their student experience.
Moulton College principal Oliver Symons said: “I am proud to be part of this collaborative effort to drive forward skills development in the South East Midlands. This investment allows us to enhance our training offerings across high-demand sectors.
“By aligning closely with local businesses and community needs, we are not only empowering our students but also strengthening the region’s workforce to meet future demands. The Colleges of the South-East Midlands partnership exemplifies how collaboration can fuel innovation, economic resilience, and sustainable growth in our communities.”
Barnfield College has led a project, working with the region’s employers in the healthcare sector, to support the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan.
College staff have received specialised training on the latest clinical skills for those entering the health and care workforce and attended workshops with NHS Trust experts on best practice in the use of advanced simulation equipment in healthcare training.
New equipment is being provided to colleges and bespoke training ward facilities are being installed to enable college learners to develop skills for working in hospitals. The project, working with the NHS, has also developed a NHS Career Gateway course.
……………………………….
Stay connected with Northamptonshire business through Business Times. Join our exclusive community for the latest news, insights, updates, features and thought leadership.
Stay informed – subscribe now at bit.ly/437DsSm. Unsubscribe at any time.
