Energy association applauds academy’s new building programme.
Milton Keynes College’s new high-tech Green Skills Centre has been praised by a leading efficiency group.
The Energy Efficiency Association says tribute should be given to the college for allowing students to work on a new environmental building project.
MK College’s latest centre will train a new wave of experts who are desperately needed to install energy storage systems, electric car charge points and solar panels in future house building developments.
Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington cut the ribbon on the centre at the college’s Chaffron Way campus, saying that it would train precisely the skills the city and country needs to meet ‘net zero’ climate change targets.
“We are planning to build 1.5 million new homes to higher energy standards, but there are also 25 million existing homes across the UK that are going to need retrofitting,” said Emily Darlington. “This is so timely as it means we can help businesses get the skills they need and it’s absolutely the right thing to be doing.
“We know how much green issues matter to young people who’ll want a career in this, so it’s 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 Energy Efficiency Association says the UK will need 8000 trainers to support net zero reskilling and praised MK College for its ambition and planning in this area of teaching.
“MK College offers training for three 'electric based' subjects, which includes solar panels,” said Tony Mooney, Director, Skills, Training and Recruitment at the EEA. “These subjects should result in a good uptake from the MK area, which should prove viable.
“The initial facility has been built on available college grounds. Every aspect of the centre has been considered to offer the best return from the investment. Praise should be given for allowing MK College students to work on the build project.
“What’s more, the land adjacent to this facility allows easy expansion with the increase in demand for other subjects.”
The centre was built with funding from the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund. Research in the city revealed the knowledge and expertise that companies are looking for if they are to play their part in the green revolution, and the three electric-based skillsets on offer were those they most need.
“A lot of these installations need two or three tradespeople with different skills, making them more complicated and expensive for consumers,” said Clifford Clarke, MK College Head of School for Engineering and Construction.
“What we’re doing is showing people how to carry out the entire job to a high standard. We’re 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’re teaching are going to be in increasingly high demand.”
The skills centre has been designed with climate change in mind. A wastewater system collects rain for use by horticulture students, and there’s a machine to turn sawdust – leftover from carpentry students’ classes – into pellets, which will be used in a biomass boiler in the centre. The boiler will be used to train students to use domestic heating control systems to cut energy consumption.
“While the courses we’ll be delivering at the Green Skills Centre will initially be targeted towards existing professionals, we’re hoping to expand our offering to a wider range of learners in the future, enabling us to support our wider communities while preparing for a more sustainable future,” said Sally Alexander, MK College Group CEO and Principal.
It's hoped the green improvements made as a result of the skills learnt at the centre will not just help nationally, but also support Milton Keynes City Council’s local sustainability targets.
