We're proud to be a beacon of sustainability

Burnley College has a real focus on embedding sustainability across all of its curricula. Our Low Carbon Hub provides learners and employers with emerging technologies, addressing the sustainability agenda.

It’s clear that the college needs to keep communicating with employers and specialists about the challenges faced around Net Zero and be proactive.

We have set up a Sustainability Skills Advisory Group, advising the college and others in Lancashire on emerging technologies in different sectors, upskilling needs across the county and engaging learners of all in the sustainability agenda.

We’ve all seen news of the Cop28 Climate Change Conference and while global leaders may struggle to agree on change, I’m proud to say Burnley College is a beacon of sustainability.

In fact, we organised a fortnight of Cop28 activities for learners.

There was a roundtable discussion with top employers, providing students with insights into how businesses address sustainability and to share ideas and concerns.

A ‘Question Time’ debate with politicians allowed students to question them on environmental policies, holding them accountable for the future.

Burnley College’s actions are testament to our commitment to sustainability.

We don’t simply talk about change, we live it, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to do the same – whatever path they take.

North West Business Training, Burnley College’s training arm, leads pioneering training programmes in ‘green’ skills.

The demand for these skills is growing as businesses see they are the future.

Since the launch of the Themis Apprentice Sustainability Framework, every new apprentice completes a ‘green’ module, contributing sustainable ideas for the workplace and producing a report for their employer to action.

Standing on the edge of the sustainability debate, looking in, can be daunting. There’s so much information and it’s hard to see how it may impact your business or sector.

So, here’s my advice … start by educating yourself and those around you. Consider how your actions impact the environment, every step counts towards a greener future.

Contact me at [email protected] – I’d love to hear how you’ve implemented green practices or help you take the first step.