GivEnergy, the UK’s leading smart energy storage provider, is supporting the next generation of STEM students through its involvement in the newly opened Clean Energy Training Centre installed by Quantum at Barnsley College.
The pioneering facility, designed to equip learners with the skills needed for careers in low-carbon and renewable energy, was opened by Dan Jarvis, Security Minister and MP for Barnsley North.
The centre, based at Barnsley College’s STEM campus, is one of the first facilities of its kind in South Yorkshire, as well as one of the largest in the UK.
Featuring GivEnergy batteries, inverters, and energy meters within its training bays, the centre provides students with hands-on experience of the technologies shaping the future of energy.
Developed with input from industry and supported by leading manufacturing partners, the Clean Energy Training Centre helps bridge the gap between education and industry. It offers practical, real-world training across solar PV, battery storage, energy efficiency, retrofit, and sustainable construction.
The courses cover Level 2 to Level 4 qualifications and are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of learners – from new entrants and current professionals seeking to upskill, to individuals looking to retrain or change careers in line with the latest industry developments.
Simon Taylor, Managing Director at GivEnergy, said: “Supporting education is essential to building a resilient, low-carbon energy system.
“The Clean Energy Training Centre at Barnsley College is exactly the kind of initiative the industry needs – one that gives students and career-changers direct access to the technologies they’ll be working with in the real world.
“We’re proud to play a role in helping develop the skills, confidence and expertise that will power the UK’s clean energy future.”
David Akeroyd, Barnsley College Principal and CEO, said: “Our Clean Energy Training Centre is more than just a new building – it’s a transformative step for both Barnsley and the wider region.
“We are proud to lead the way in training the workforce of tomorrow, supporting green growth, and helping our region meet its net zero ambitions.”
Maria Gonella, Managing Director of Quantum Training, said: “Working with Barnsley College to create this Clean Energy Training Centre has been a genuine privilege.
“This centre is more than a training facility; it is a doorway to possibility, giving young people a pathway into meaningful, future-proof careers and offering adults the chance to upskill and reimagine their futures.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of leading manufacturers whose systems reflect the spectrum of solutions used across both private and social housing. Their high-quality products form a vital part of the practical learning delivered here.”
Dan Jarvis, MP, added: “The opening of Barnsley College’s Clean Energy Training Centre is a truly remarkable achievement.
“The centre is practical, it’s forward-looking, and it’s rooted in our town’s tradition of hard graft and know-how. More specifically, it’s based in an excellent College, doing excellent work.
“Barnsley College isn’t just talking about change – it’s making it happen. The Clean Energy Training Centre is a testament to that.”
As a manufacturer committed to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future, GivEnergy sees education and skills development as critical to long-term success. By supporting initiatives like the Clean Energy Training Centre, GivEnergy is helping to ensure the workforce of tomorrow is ready to design, install, and maintain the smart energy systems that will power homes and communities for decades to come.
