Newbury College’s Commitment to Climate Change

@NewburyCollege was delighted to welcome guests to the official launch of the Renewables Centre last week.

The Renewables Centre has been designed to develop the skills needed to deliver green energy. The College is committed to the move towards a carbon-free economy and the use of renewable sources of energy in the home and the workplace.

The Centre will support the local workforce and businesses to develop the skills needed for ‘green jobs’ and features:

• solar and fuel cell energy sources; reducing the demand on fossil fuel generated electricity, and
• the latest air and ground source heat pump technology; supporting the drive to replace traditional gas or oil boilers in homes.

Fully equipped, assessment bays sit throughout the Renewables Centre, enabling a practical and immersive training experience for plumbers, electricians and engineers, including technologies that will shape our world for the next 20 years.

The Renewables Centre has been developed with funding from Thames Valley Berkshire LEP as part of the Getting Building Fund.

Bob Beveridge, Chair of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP was present at the launch and commented:

“We know that decreasing carbon emissions is a global priority, but it is in the steps that individual communities take that change will be affected. As a community, Berkshire has already signalled its commitment to net zero and started making progress towards this goal.”

The Renewables Centre at Newbury College is one of several further education facilities the LEP has funded to nurture the talent needed to reach our green ambitions. Overall, the LEP has invested over £83.5million in green initiatives for Berkshire, such as the award-winning Smart City Cluster projects, railway station improvements and cycleways.”

Iain Wolloff, Principal and Chief Executive, Newbury College, said:

“The launch of the Renewables Centre is part of our commitment to our community that ensures we are delivering the future skills needed by local business.”

It supports our vision to create opportunities that transform lives and develop talented people with the skills they need to reduce our impact on the environment collectively.”

Existing students supported tours of the College, the University Centre (UCN) and the Renewables Centre and had the opportunity to discuss work experience and employment opportunities with local employers.

Chris Bell, Sunpower Electronics commented:

“The Renewables event was a success! It was great to see the new building and the students. Hearing about the courses will allow us to consider how we can work together in considering placements for the students. It was interesting to hear about the new T Levels too.”

The College would like to thank everyone that attended with a special thanks to the Catering students and staff for the delicious buffet and Fidelity Energy for sponsoring the event.