A cohort of industry expert tutors at Redcar and Cleveland College have risen to the challenge of Net Zero 2050 and put their own knowledge to the test by completing the OPITO Introduction to Carbon Capture Storage course.
This initiative highlights further the college’s commitment to Net Zero by putting its staff through the newest training in the renewable and low-carbon sectors.
In May 2023, the college opened its cutting-edge £3.2m Clean Energy Education Hub, which sees the delivery of key courses in the rapidly expanding green skills sector. Courses include retrofit, carbon capture, hydrogen technologies, EV charging, solar PV installation, air source heat pump installation and maintenance, industrial mechanical, and electrical training.
Emma Booth, Head of Construction, Engineering and Service Industries at the college, highlighted the importance of advancing the college’s educational mission. She said “The Clean Energy Education Hub is a state-of-the-art facility which supports various learners, from school leavers to apprentices and businesses, to upskill and learn more about the growing renewable and low carbon sector and develop specialist skills.
“Tees Valley is expected to create thousands of new, high-quality jobs in the renewables sector and here at Redcar and Cleveland College we are leading the way in developing a new low carbon energy skills curriculum.
“Our team is encouraged by new developments in green skills training and in order to best serve our community, students, and employers, we embarked on industry standard training in carbon capture. This enables staff to have a clear awareness of the changing industrial landscape and highlight the brilliant training our Clean Energy Education Hub can offer regionally and nationally to prospective students and organisations.”
Among those who took part in the OPITO training was Brian, an Engineering Lecturer at the college. Brain expressed his enthusiasm for the experience, saying: “The Skills Bootcamp was something I really wanted to do; it was a free upskilling opportunity for me to learn about how the industry is changing and modern methods.”
Kelly Skeet, Adult Skills Manager, explained “Skills Bootcamps are a cost-effective way to upskill existing employees to enable them to progress within the company and improve their career prospects as well as enabling the employer to sustain and grow their business.
“Employers can save up to 90% on the cost price of a course by delivering it through a Skills Bootcamp, which is a government initiative as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life.”
Jacob Tribe, Business Development Manager, expressed the Etc.’s commitment to supporting businesses, he said: “For businesses looking to upskill their team members but are unsure which route would be best to take, we are available to meet, conduct a training needs analysis and identify skills gaps. We recognise that every business is different, and we can work together to develop skills training that will futureproof operations as industries evolve.”
If you would like to find out more about upskilling team members, email business@the-etc.ac.uk or call 01642 865 557.
