College to train workers for UK’s renewable energy future

Stoke on Trent College has announced that it will open the UK’s first national District Heat Skills Academy to train workers to deliver the UK’s newest energy infrastructure this September.

In concert with its partners – Nordic Heat Network, Smart City Alliance, Swedish Energy Agency, City of Helsingborg, LOGSTOR, Cetetherm and NODA – the College will train students to design, supply and install £500m investment in Stoke’s future energy system in a five year project.

Peter Anderberg, founder of Nordic Heat Network and Smart City Alliance, said: “The District Heat Network  represents a huge investment in Stoke on Trent and a major step forward in the adoption of sustainable energy systems in the UK. Experiences from Scandinavia shows that this will also have a major impact on boosting the local economy and creating ‘green’ career opportunities for young people.”

The scheme covers the installation of a future city wide heat network, new energy-from-waste processes, geothermal heat sourcing and storage solution, high speed internet connection, as well as solar and energy efficiency in buildings.

“We will be working closely with the College, the city council and other partners to ensure that local companies in the supply chain can be part of this major infrastructure project. To do this, they will need to have the right people in place, with the right qualifications, and this is where the District Heat Skills Academy at Stoke on Trent College is needed.”

The director of apprenticeships at Stoke on Trent College, Kevin Smith added:”We are working with Peter and other highly respected Scandinavian professionals who have pioneered the district network energy supply, with more than 50 years experience.”

“These experts will pass on their skills and experience to college lecturers and teaching staff, so that we can train a whole generation of people in the skills needed to design, supply and maintain the new geothermal energy networks.”

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