Bournemouth and Poole College has launched its £1million Green Energy Centre, a key milestone in the development of renewable and sustainable energy education in the region.
The purpose-built facility will provide hands-on training in renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices, ensuring learners and employers have access to the training required to meet rapidly growing demand across the green energy sector.
With the clean energy workforce growing more than five times faster than overall UK employment between 2020 and 2022, and forecasts of up to 725,000 new low-carbon jobs by 2030, the demand for skilled workers have never been higher.
Michael Lock, Director of Learning for Construction at Bournemouth and Poole College, said:
“The Green Energy Centre is a landmark moment for the College and the wider region. It represents a long-term investment in skills, innovation, and economic resilience. By equipping students, apprentices, and employers with the expertise required in renewable technologies, we are directly enhancing local and national workforce capability.”
Developed in partnership with Quantum Group, pioneers of green skills training solutions in the UK, the Green Energy Centre offers state-of-the-art training bays that replicate real-world operating conditions. Facilities include Electrical Bays for Solar PV, energy storage and EV charging systems, as well as Heat Pump Bays dedicated to the installation, commissioning and maintenance of air source heat pumps, as well as additional renewable systems such as rainwater harvesting.
The centre’s curriculum has been designed in close consultation with local employers to address specific industry needs. Its first programme, the “Skills Bootcamp: Electrician Plus”, will commence this month, providing training in Electric Vehicle charging, Solar PV installation, and Energy Storage Systems to upskill qualified electricians. Participants will graduate with the qualifications required for Electrician Plus registration, strengthening capacity in critical areas of infrastructure delivery.
Michael Lock added:
“The Green Energy Centre will serve as a regional hub for green innovation, employer collaboration, and workforce development, consolidating Bournemouth and Poole College’s position as a leading provider of advanced technical education”.