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College champions a green tech future

East Sussex College is providing ground-breaking training for a greener future. In October 2022, the College opens a new Training Hub at Hampden Retail Park in an exciting new partnership with OHM Energy. Green tech is set for huge growth in the region, and the new package of training and support will help local green tech and construction companies tackle skills shortages and support local demand, says CEO Rebecca Conroy.

It’s an exciting time for East Sussex College as the region’s first Decarbonisation Academy opens its doors on 7th October. Their collaborative Skills Development Fund project, as part of the FE Sussex Project on Green Technology, seeks to tackle current and future skills shortages in green tech, and ensure the region keeps pace with everchanging needs and trends.

“We’ve spent a lot of time developing our green tech partnerships with over 25 local construction companies,” Rebecca explains. “They have told us what they need both now and in future in terms of new skills and upskilling, which has formed the basis of our specialist curriculum.

“Our innovative and forward-thinking courses have been designed to upskill and provide the resources to support a more sustainable future. We will be offering a range of fully accredited training courses from our new training facility opening in October 2022.”

The model house at the new Training Hub is a showcase for energy-efficient innovation New Training Hub at Hampden Retail Park

The Academy - the first of five planned in the region - offers training in both green energy solutions and retrofits.

Courses will cover installation of insulation and renewable energy systems, as well as building services. The main focus is on three interlinked areas:

Green installation of domestic solar/PV, wind and ground/ air source heat pumps

Retrofitting of low-energy lighting and ventilation

New jobs and skills for domestic retrofit and PAS 2035.

If we step back and look at the bigger picture, the overall challenge of decarbonisation both locally and nationally is huge. By 2050, the UK aims to be net zero, which means getting rid of all CO2 emissions in millions of homes and commercial premises.

The work is unprecedented and will require a huge amount of training and re-training for associated trades and professions. The new specialist Hub will support local authorities, businesses, construction employers and homeowners to improve insulation and install a range of green energy products, ranging from solar and micro-wind installations to house refitting and heat pump technology, reducing energy consumption and offsetting carbon emissions.

“We’ve had fantastic support from companies locally for our new T-Level programmes and we’ve built brilliant partnerships with longevity,” Rebecca adds. “Setting up this project has been a real energy boost for our teams. It will add a lot to what we do and how we do it. The new retail space has already attracted a lot of local interest.”

She continues, “The new Academy will help meet immediate needs in the area. I’d like to thank Eastbourne Borough Council who’ve offered a great deal of support in setting up the Decarbonisation Centre to help us get

up and running. The Strategic Development Fund also helped us to invest in resources and set up links with local firms.

“The initiative has shown that we can be really dynamic as a sector: we’ve responded quickly to demand, turned things around quickly, and helped add immediate value. Ultimately, we are supporting the skills agenda and helping turn around the well-being and prosperity of the local community.”

Along with practical skills training, innovation is also central to the Academy. Rebecca says, “We’ll be demonstrating how old housing stock and offices can be turned into energy-efficient buildings with a model house, showcasing ways to reduce energy consumption so that visitors can see that innovation in action.”

East Sussex College also has a green tech investment underway at its Ore Valley site in Hastings, funded partly through the Hastings Town Deal. There will be significant upgrading of facilities and equipment, and creation of a business hub to house, support and incubate smaller businesses. The College is also part of the South East Institute of Technology Partnership which will focus on the delivery of Higher Education with a focus on Engineering. “It’s received a lot of positive attention from local firms, particularly key engineering employers like TechnoTurn,” Rebecca says.

“They’ve given us lots of honest feedback which has had a big impact on shaping coursework and direction. There’s no complex strategy - it’s all about creating quick and easy access to practical equipment, training and help for their employees, both now and in the future.”

Never before have the working relationships between business and FE Colleges been so important to solving some of our longerterm skills shortages. Through targeted investment and a commitment to real collaboration, there is a real opportunity for big impact in terms of boosting vital skills that companies so urgently need. The work of East Sussex College provides an important blue print for the future.

See East Sussex College’s specialist course areas at esctraininghub.com

Rebecca Conroy

CEO East Sussex College

“We’ve had fantastic support from companies locally for our new T-Level programmes and we’ve built brilliant partnerships with longevity. Setting up this project has been a real energy boost for our teams. It will add a lot to what we do and how we do it. The new retail space has already attracted a lot of local interest.”