West Lancashire College expands green careers provision

West Lancashire College has been investing in increasing its provision of skills in the low carbon and net zero fields.

The college is based in Skelmersdale and currently has 3,500 students enrolled.

The move to enhance its green careers provision serves demand from employers as well as young people, some 60 per cent of which reportedly worry about the effects of climate change according to a study by Bath University.

The college recently announced a significant investment to its Engineering Department and into the development of a new Renewable Technologies Centre.

The centre aims to raise awareness as well as highlight the array of opportunities and benefits of low/net-zero carbon operations to Lancashire SMEs and to assist SMEs in developing strategies, as well as associated training plans.

Systems within the centre include an introduction to low-carbon energy technology that involves air source heat pumps, grey water harvesting, ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind turbine technology and other renewable aspects.

Six new solar panels have also been installed on the roof of the Renewable Technologies Centre.

As well as the significant investment into renewable technologies, the college has a range of courses that support the green agenda including their distance learning course ‘Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Level 2’ and part time, in person Electric Vehicle/Hybrid Vehicle courses.