Leicester College has opened a new Green Technology Hub at its Freemen’s Park Campus. The Hub will enable construction students, staff and employers to gain hands-on, practical experience with the latest green technologies.
The new state-of-the-art green tech equipment in the Green Tech Hub includes air source heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage systems and EV charging stations.
The Green Technology Hub will support a range of Leicester College courses from Level 2 to Level 4, focused on renewables and green technology including:
- Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Sustainability, Pollution and Waste Management
- Understanding Impacts of Industry and Organisations on the Natural Environment
- Energy Conservation and Efficient Buildings and Structures
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainable Energy Technologies
- Sustainable Energy and Renewables
Nick Allen, Construction Area Manager at Leicester College says, “Green technology is already having and will continue to have an increasing impact on the UK construction sector. It’s vital that our students have access to this equipment, to learn how to use the technology and understand the impact it will have when they get into the workplace.
“The new Green Tech Hub will provide students with a strong foundation to learn more about these technologies and incorporate that knowledge into their future work with employers.”
Derek Watters, Programme Lead for T Level Year 1 in Construction at Leicester College adds, “The introduction of green technology is very exciting – it brings about plenty of opportunities. Students can bring their own technological understanding to learning about the new green equipment and it can really give them a head start to extend their broad range of construction skills.
“People want more control from their building management systems and this is tried and tested technology, now affordable and easily maintained. The technology will continue to evolve so it’s an ideal time for students to progress their learning at this early stage of their career in construction.”
The Hub is funded by the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund and has been fitted out by Quantum Training, a UK renewable training provider, which also trains Leicester College staff on the equipment.
Leicester College, along with its partners Loughborough College, North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College and SMB College Group, was successful in bidding for funding through the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund.
The College has successfully been awarded funds to develop training programmes to meet local employers’ skills needs in key industries including the green sector. These programmes support four key aims: decarbonising transportation; green leadership skills; digital upskilling; and employer skills training.
