Empowering the Green Workforce: Nottingham College's £250,000 Green Skills Training Hub

As the UK accelerates toward its net zero ambitions, the demand for a skilled green workforce has never been greater. In response, Nottingham College has launched a cutting-edge Green Skills Centre, part of its wider Sustainability Enterprise Centre at the Basford campus to tackle regional skills shortages and prepare learners for careers in low-carbon technologies.

A Purpose-Built Centre for Practical Green Skills

The £250,000 Green Skills Centre has been specifically designed to provide immersive, hands-on learning in the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault-finding of emerging green technologies. The new facility is structured around nine live working bays, each dedicated to key low-carbon systems, including:

• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
• Battery Storage Solutions
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Installations
• Solar Thermal Technologies

These workspaces replicate real-world environments, giving learners practical experience with the systems they'll encounter in the field.

Part of a Broader Sustainability Vision

The centre sits within the Nottingham Sustainability Enterprise Centre, a purpose-built space focused on supporting green economic growth and education. It complements the college’s existing green training provision, which includes the Basford Gas Centre and electric vehicle technology training delivered across multiple campuses.

The Green Skills Centre forms part of Nottingham College’s broader £6 million investment into construction and sustainability education, following the recent opening of its new Construction Skills Centre.

Strategic Partnerships and Industry Collaboration

The project has been delivered in partnership with Quantum Training and funded through the government-backed Local Skills Improvement Fund. The partnership reflects a shared goal of creating more accessible, vocational pathways into the green economy.

“One of the biggest challenges in achieving the UK’s sustainability targets is the shortage of a workforce equipped with green skills,” said Maria Gonella, Managing Partner at Quantum Training. “We’re proud to work with Nottingham College to deliver hands-on training that empowers learners to join the sector with confidence and competence.”

Supporting Regional and National Net Zero Goals

The launch of the Green Skills Centre is not just a local initiative, it’s a direct response to national demand. The government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes and scale up renewable energy technologies means the need for skilled workers in construction, energy, and related sectors is only set to rise.

Carl Ara, Assistant Principal at Basford, emphasised the importance of aligning education with the demands of the modern green economy:

“Qualifications in green skills open the door to a wide range of career options, whether in construction, engineering, renewables, agriculture, or the public sector. Our new centre ensures learners can train using the same equipment and systems they’ll work with in industry.”

Closing the Green Skills Gap

Nottingham College’s investment in green skills training highlights how further education providers can take the lead in delivering practical, future-focused education. With immersive training environments and strong industry partnerships, the college is playing a vital role in bridging the skills gap and preparing the workforce needed to power a low-carbon economy.