College drive on climate change training

A NEW collaboration between environmental and training organisations has been launched to equip employees to tackle climate change.

Twelve partners have come together to back the Skills for Climate Change and Sustainable Development project led by Birmingham Metropolitan College and funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) focuses on reducing CO2 emissions from existing buildings, where some 40% of our energy resources are used.

Birmingham Metropolitan College Director, Mustafa Shevket who is leading the project said: “The project proactively supports the UK’s Low Carbon Transition Plan which aims to curb emissions from the workplace by 13% by 2020.

“We will initially be targeting those who manage buildings and work in small businesses, promoting skills in energy and resource efficiency, waste and water management as well as investment in renewable energy technologies so that this long term vision for carbon cuts is put into place.

“The college is proud to be delivering this innovative project with so many excellent partner organisations and Government Office.  Together we have the potential to establish a vibrant, low carbon economy which significantly impacts on climate change.”

Trudi Elliott, Regional Director of Government Office West Midlands who helped launch the project, said:
“In contributing towards workforce development, we can address other challenges such as the region’s high level of unemployment among young people and the need to up-skill workforces in areas that have been in decline.”

Birmingham Metropolitan College will devise and test the Skills for Climate Change portfolio through NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 which could then lead on to a higher level qualification.  The delivery of training is expected to begin in the summer.

The partnership includes: Be Birmingham’s Environmental Partnership; Groundwork West Midlands (an environmental charity); the Neighbourhood Resource Centre for Central England (NRCCE, which provides access to the Accord Housing Group, a Registered Social Landlord); Solihull College; South Staffordshire College; the Environment Agency (a government body); Shropshire Council; Ecotec (consultancy); the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE); Midlands Architecture and the Designed Environment (MADE); the University of Birmingham’s Business School; and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.