Chris says there remains some reticence among owner-manager businesses to embrace transition and that has not been helped by “mixed messages” coming from the present and the previous government.
He says: “We need a much clearer steer by those in positions of power in terms of strategy.”
And he points to the long-term policies of countries in Asia and the Far East adding: “Frankly we are going round in circles arguing about small minor issues without having an overall big picture.
“If we as a nation have that vision at the top and it filters down and cuts all this rubbish we’ll move forward. At the moment it is like a quagmire and that really frustrates me.”
Ged Ennis is founder and director of Burnley
based solar energy business Low Carbon Energy Co. One of the pioneers of the sector, the business began in 2008, he says: “We were tree huggers at the time. Now people recognise and understand the technology.”
He is no stranger to changing legislation landscapes, saying: “We’ve been on a ‘solar coaster’ ride for 15 years.”
Ged adds: “Every three months we were getting different legislation that moved the goalposts and made it virtually impossible.”
He believes that the red tape is not as bad as it once was and says: “The opportunities are there, it’s about giving business a solid framework to work to. If we are given that framework we will deliver.
“These shouldn’t be political decisions they
should be national decisions about what the strategy will be for the next 15 to 20 years for the UK. Energy is too big: it shouldn’t be politicised.”
On a local level he believes sharing and collaboration is important and the county needs to take advantage of the opportunities that devolution will provide. He says: “The ambition, knowledge and willingness are here, we just need someone at the top making that noise in government.”
Steve Wood, chief executive at Fylde Coast Energy, adds: “The problem with all the regulation at the moment and the advice going in at government level is these people haven’t bult anything and don’t know how to build something.”
Chris Bingham
Ged Ennis
Steve Wood
THE IOT HAS the energy to move sustainability forward
The Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology (IoT) is leading the way when it comes to sustainability.
The IoT, a collaboration between eight colleges across Lancashire and Cumbria, offers industry leading facilities and outstanding technical training to address skills gaps and anticipate future needs. One of those key subject areas is sustainability.
Academic partners Nelson and Colne College Group – with sites at Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College, and Lancaster and Morecambe College have made significant changes to reduce the carbon footprint of their campuses.
Blackpool and the Fylde College are the lead provider for degree apprenticeships for the nuclear and energy sectors through their Energy Hub, whilst Lakes College is a founding member of the National
College for Nuclear and home to the NCfN Northern Hub. They certainly have the credentials.
Across the IoT, students looking to enter this field of expertise, or employees looking to upskill in this area, have a range of courses to choose from.
Dr Steven Wright, Director of Academic Standards at Nelson and Colne College Group (NCCG) said: “We know there is a need in industries like manufacturing to reduce energy costs and consumption. We teach people how to look at the environmental impact of materials, processes and removal of the end product.
“ Almost every company will need someone with these skills in the future
– someone who is able to assess the businesses environmental impact.
“ Our courses celebrate advances in green technology – and look at which technology is best in different scenarios. Sustainability permeates across the whole curriculum. It’s about weighing up the environmental benefits vs financial contributions.”
NCCG – who have invested over £400K alone via the IoT to test and demonstrate various scenarios – are running courses broken into several modules, which can be delivered flexibly – full time, part time, or even as intensive courses or evenings to suit the needs of the students.
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