Communities across the country are now benefiting from a share of £165 million in government funding to enhance training opportunities in their area and plug local green skills gaps. 

The money – from the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) – is being distributed up until 2025. 

The green skills sector is facing a major skills shortage, amid surging demand for engineers who can install and maintain low-carbon technology such as heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers. Another 400,000 green roles will need to be filled to build this net zero energy workforce of the future, according to the National Grid. 

Many organisations and further education colleges are now looking to deliver a new ‘green’ curriculum – and the Quantum Group is here to help. 

Training bays

We have already supported a number of colleges to ramp up their training programmes.

This includes installing our state-of-the-art training bays. These give students hands-on experience of working with low-carbon tech such as heat pumps, solar PV and electric vehicle chargers. 

We have also created a bespoke and complementary Level 2 training course, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies. This course is assured by City & Guilds and was produced in partnership with eco-heating technology brand Daikin UK. 

Meanwhile, our Train the Green Trainer Academy supports college tutors and lecturers to upskill and improve their own knowledge. 

Our team can advise on the most cost-efficient solutions for your college and support you to meet the LSIF revenue and capital spend deadlines put in place by the Government.

‘Amazing’

Students who took part in a trial run of our Level 2 course at London South Bank College (LSBC) last summer and used our training bays have praised the learning. 

One participant, Dylan, said: “The ability to be able to work on systems which involve sustainability, new technology, that’s coming into plumbing was amazing for me. I’m a hands-on learner, I will learn more when I’m doing something.”

Another student, Josh, said: “I’ve done my Level 2 Plumbing and this course has a lot more information, it’s very detailed. 

“The Government is implementing net zero and this [training] will give me a head start on the knowledge I have to learn about before it’s actually law.”

Knowledge

As well as installing nine training bays and running our Level 2 course, LSBC has also taken part in our Train the Green Trainer programme.

Tim Weston, Director Career Pathways, STEAM, said: “Our electrical and plumbing teams were really impressed by the knowledge and passion of Quantum’s trainer. Looking forward to further renewables training with you.”

Another of our college partners, London South East Colleges (LSEC), has installed our training bays at its Bromley campus, as part of a new state-of-the-art Green Skills Lab funded by the Department for Education. 

You can learn more about LSEC’s lab by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiuEecevRI

Quantum Group’s Jade Husson, Business Development, said: “We offer the most comprehensive solutions for training bays, courses and trainer support. 

“Our hands-on training bays give students practical experience of working with low-carbon technologies – these practical skills are important for a successful future career as an installer. 

“Together with our college partners, we are helping to address the green skills gap.”

Our team is happy to answer your questions and share more information. Please reach out to Jade at jade@thequantumgroup.uk.com

You can also learn more about our training packages on our new microsite at fe.thequantumgroup.uk.com