LIVERPOOL COLLEGE SECURES £100,000 INVESTMENT TO BOOST GREEN SKILLS TRAINING

The City of Liverpool College has received a £100,000 investment to develop new green energy facilities to provide training in advanced technologies and green skills through the Test and Learn Retrofit Skills Programme.

The programme, funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, is being delivered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in collaboration with the North West Net Zero Hub.

The funding boost marks a major milestone for the college, contributing to the government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. It also makes the college a leading provider in the City Region offering this level of training.

The cutting-edge facilities, which will be launched in autumn 2024, will allow the college to deliver a Heat Pump Centre of Excellence for the City Region, providing unparalleled training opportunities for individuals looking to gain expertise in this rapidly growing field.

It will allow the college to embed training into full-time plumbing, gas, and engineering courses, as well as develop new apprenticeship programmes.

One of the new apprenticeship programmes launched is a Low Carbon Heating Technician. Delivered in the Industry and Innovation Centre at the college’s Vauxhall Road Campus, the course will provide vital skills in heat pumps, solar voltaic systems, and district heat networks.

“The training programmes we will be able to provide are truly second to none in the region. With the UK desperately needing a more green skilled workforce, the funding will allow us to offer cutting-edge training in the latest green technologies, while expanding our apprenticeship programmes.”

Industry partnerships with leading businesses in the sector, such as Vaillant Group, will allow learners to develop skills on the most advanced technologies.

Marissa Looby, Home Energy Lead for the North West Net Zero Hub, said: “We’ve worked with colleges across the North West region to pilot programmes that provide new equipment and training methods to support learners getting the skills they need to decarbonise our homes. The City of Liverpool College now has new Heat Pump equipment that can train people to design, install and maintain this technology. It is these type of skills that we need in the construction sector at a large scale to meet our net zero targets.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “The City of Liverpool College’s new green skills programme is a fantastic step forward for our region. By helping to equip local people with the knowledge and expertise to work in emerging green technologies, we’re tackling the climate crisis head-on and creating new opportunities for residents.

“It’s exactly the kind of initiative that ensures our region is ready to lead the race to net zero and take full advantage of the jobs and industries of the future. This investment is proof that by working together, we can build a cleaner, greener, and fairer future for everyone.”

Elaine Bowker, Principal at The City of Liverpool College, said: “We are hugely grateful to LCRCA to have secured this investment.

“The training programmes we will be able to provide are truly second to none in the region. With the UK desperately needing a more green skilled workforce, the funding will allow us to offer cutting-edge training in the latest green technologies, while expanding our apprenticeship programmes.

“We are excited to work towards addressing the green skills shortage and supporting the UK government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”

Henrik Juhl Hansen, managing director of Vaillant UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be supporting The City of Liverpool College as it builds its capabilities to deliver green skills using the latest technologies.”

The college has also secured funding to deliver Skills Bootcamps from November, providing training programs for individuals looking to re-train or upskill in green energy technologies.

The college has a long-standing commitment to promoting Green Skills and sustainability, having previously secured £4.5 million in funding from the Local Skills Improvement Fund for projects related to solar installation and hydrogen technology.

If you’d like to find out more about how to access green skills training and funding from The City of Liverpool College, College for Business, please email colcbusiness@liv-coll.ac.uk with the subject line: Green Skills.