Are you ready for the sustainable skills revolution?

Businesses across the UK will need to make urgent changes as the UK switches to a net-zero-focused economy. New green skills centres launched in Kent aim to give employers and staff the knowledge and support they will need to thrive.

Industry-focused colleges across the Kent region of South East England have launched green skills accelerators giving businesses access to bespoke courses and training to deliver their future success as the UK shifts to a net-zero economy.

East Kent Colleges Group, Hadlow College (part of North Kent College group) and MidKent College are aiming to provide employers with both the pipeline of talent and the expertise they will need to call on as de-carbonisation gathers pace.

State-of-the-art technologies installed at the Ashford and Canterbury campuses of East Kent Colleges Group will introduce students to the demands of electric car or modern food production plus the new wave of collaborative robotics teaching skills for the next industrial revolution to come.

The future of farming will be the focus at Hadlow College, where training courses will showcase more sustainable methods of food production out on an experimental vineyard and orchard where technology will be front and centre, including the Haynes New Holland robotic tractor.

In Maidstone, the energy crisis has provided added impetus to new training courses that will help solar panel contractors, for example, to recruit people they need now to meet demand that higher energy costs have created. Electricians and heating engineers will be able to access training for sustainable new build construction methods but also retrofitting century old housing stock too as gas is phased out and renewables take centre stage.

A third of UK businesses do not believe their workforces are equipped with the skills necessary to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This project is seeking to put that right. Kent’s new green skills centres will help businesses across the South East to make the most of opportunities that a net-zero economy will bring with a focus on sustainable construction, engineering and horticulture.

As well as offering training and refresher courses, the green skills centres now provide a space for businesses to see the future with the opportunity to work in partnership, accessing support and expertise to tackle the challenges they face in adapting to a more sustainable world.

All four sites will provide a launchpad for businesses wanting to test how automation, robotics and other sustainable technologies can support or benefit them for the short, medium and longer term.

The centres, funded through the government’s Strategic Development Fund scheme, are part of a broader strategy to skill up the county, as well as employers with the skills needed as old carbon-hungry technologies are phased out and a new chapter begins.

What the Colleges say

Simon Cook, Principal and Chief Executive, MidKent College and Chair of Kent Further Education (KFE), which champions the FE sector across Kent and Medway, said: “The launch of these new learning centres, and the partnerships with industry specialists will ensure that local employers can call upon the skills and best practice needed to transition to Net Zero as well as putting down a marker for Kent as a leading hub for the green economy.

“A third of UK businesses do not believe their workforce is currently equipped with the skills necessary to achieve net zero. By coming together as one, Kent’s FE colleges are seeking to ensure that changes.”

Graham Razey OBE, Chief Executive Officer for East Kent Colleges Group, said: “FE colleges have always been at the forefront of societally transformational leadership projects, and it’s wonderful to have kickstarted a green revolution for businesses across the county.

“Our new engineering centres at Ashford College and Canterbury College will help to develop the skills of the future for our students, whilst simultaneously ensuring employers have the opportunity to test their own decarbonisation plans in a sector leading environment.”

David Gleed, Chief Executive and Executive Principal, North Kent College, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this sustainability project. As we progress, we will be looking to engage with as many businesses as we can and invite them to join us and our FE sector partners in devising new skills solutions that will support career opportunities now and in the future. The opening of our new Centre at Hadlow College is just the start.”

GREEN SKILLS CENTRES

GREEN SKILLS FACTORY, MIDKENT COLLEGE, MAIDSTONE

Highly-rated MidKent College works with organisations spanning a range of business sectors to ensure that its training programmes remain up-to-date.

A range of courses have been designed specifically to support the Construction and Building Services sector as businesses strive to decarbonise the industry.

These focus on developing skills and knowledge to help construction staff and planners deliver energy efficiency, and to meet targets for buildings with low environmental impact.

Introductory courses will also raise awareness for the sector, including practical installation and retrofit training plus more advanced theoretical and academic programmes.

GREEN ENGINEERING CENTRES, EAST KENT COLLEGES GROUP

Award-winning East Kent Colleges Group, firmly believe in lifelong learning, including professional development for companies.

The Green Engineering Centre and Mechatronic Lab and a second centre in Ashford will not only provide a range of training courses but also offer a resource for businesses looking to decarbonise through testing new concepts, products or processes. Production rigs that can scan and track packaging plus a 3D virtual reality room that will allow businesses to map their factory floor and plan for future automation have also been installed.

Both sites have been equipped with the latest industry standard production line robotics, including collaborative robot technology plus 3D printing and learning tools. Leading sector suppliers for the manufacturing sector have also backed the project, including Kuka Robotics, Create 3D, XYC Machine Tools and automotive learning specialists, Lucas Nuelle.

GREEN HORTICULTURAL CENTRE, HADLOW COLLEGE (PART OF NORTH KENT COLLEGE)

The UK’s only rural and land-based college is committed to providing students with the best learning experience possible.

The future of farming will be the focus at Hadlow College, where training courses will showcase sustainable methods of food production out on a newly installed commercial greenhouse, and robotic concept vineyard and orchard.

Delta-T devices that measure soil moisture, automated spraying and robotic harvesting will all form part of the courses that are now available, supporting students in developing their skills using the latest technology and equipment.