MOVING TO A LOW CARBON LANCASHIRE by Sarah Kemp Chief executive of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
Lancashire has a compelling story to tell when it comes to the energy and low carbon economy. The county has a concentration of low carbon energy assets including nuclear, wind, marine and battery technologies.
There are 5,200 Lancashire businesses operating in the energy & environment sector. These businesses employ 40,000 workers, providing a plethora of high value job opportunities for Lancashire’s young people and adults. In addition to which, it is home to cutting- edge advanced manufacturers and world-leading engineering companies which provide the technical innovation and design expertise which contribute to a unique low carbon ecosystem. All businesses across Lancashire, big and small, will see the impact of the move to a low carbon economy and the opportunities it brings.
Research undertaken by the Work Foundation in partnership with the LEP and the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, highlighted a number of skills challenges that the network of Lancashire colleges is aiming to address through the Strategic Development Fund (SDF) Skills Accelerator Trailblazer. The collegiate approach adopted by the colleges is very much welcomed, with a hub and spoke model adopted, and aligned with the specific skills needs of our industry base.
The trailblazer is complementary to the Local Skills Improvement Plan, which is being driven by the chambers and stakeholders. Together the trailblazers will identify employers’ specific skills needs and enable the colleges and wider provider network to use that intelligence to collectively meet our employers’ skills challenges.
Lancashire’s next generation of builders, offering opportunities for businesses to upskill employees on the latest technology. Similarly, energy efficient homes need clean heating systems and the purchase of air source heating pumps for training is helping create a new generation of local heating engineers.
The Automotive Skills Accelerator is working with employers to develop specialist training and qualifications to support the industry’s move into low carbon vehicles including electric/hybrid vehicle repair, motorsport, plant machinery, charging points and infrastructure. An Independent Garage Network for Lancashire mechanics has been established and a new high specification facility will open later this month with a demonstration event for businesses.
Lancashire’s green resources offer plenty of sustainable energy options, from solar energy to wind and tidal. The colleges are working with employers to conduct an analysis of the training needs and current skills gaps of businesses in the energy sector. At the same time, courses such as introductions to low carbon energy, principles of renewable energy and solar PV training are also being developed, and there will be a new Sustainable Energy Hub fitted with a Computer Aided Design (CAD) suite, robotics room and virtual reality studio.
For Lancashire’s farmers and growers, low-zero offers opportunities to improve efficiencies while reducing the impact on the planet. Ten carbon audits have already been completed with farms across Lancashire, while also helping farmers to use drone technology to check livestock, restoring local peatland and promoting net- zero farmers with buyers. Similarly, improvements on buildings efficiencies can also benefit farmers, from improving yields when drying potatoes through to improving animal welfare.
Support is also available for businesses to increase their digital skills. A Centre of Digital Excellence is re-shaping curriculums to support specific sectors with digital skills, such as manufacturing and aerospace including training in subjects such as software development, website design and CAD.
TRAINING ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE
Baxi Heating, which manufactures heating and hot water systems, is working with Preston College to train up local heating engineers on how to install and maintain air source heat pumps as part of the pilot.
Air source heat pumps have been identified by the government as vital to reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and the plan is to install 600,000 a year by 2028. However, due to a lack of trained engineers, the average cost to fit one in Lancashire can still be as high as £10,000.
Preston and partner colleges are expanding their facilities, as well as purchasing air source heat pumps for training across the county. The training will be available to all heating businesses and installers across the area, while the pilot allows any business in Lancashire to benefit from courses in low carbon and net zero technologies.
Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi, said: “Having such high- quality facilities and technology at Preston College allows us to ensure that heating engineers can train and qualify on the best equipment, which will prepare them for the future challenges and opportunities in the heating industry, as we move towards a net-zero carbon future.”
For more information on The Lancashire College’s (TLC) Strategic Development Fund Pilot, or to enquire about any of the projects mentioned, visit TLC’s website at
www.tlc.ac.uk/sdf or speak to your local college.
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
