Skills for a Low Carbon and Resource Efficient Economy
A low carbon economy will require different knowledge and competencies. On the one this relates to the technical skills businesses will need to develop low carbon products and services and on the other, broader business leader awareness of how low carbon issues will affect their business model. As such regional skills partners are influencing the development of the skills landscape to deliver skills products for a new low carbon age.
Design your Sustainable Future
Future Factory is a project to promote sustainable product and process design within SMEs, through collaboration with the UK knowledge base, and specifically Nottingham Trent University (NTU). The project is open to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) based anywhere in the East Midlands. The project engages organisations in sustainable and innovative approaches to their business, including the promotion of creative design, market opportunities and
customer satisfaction. It offers the opportunity for SMEs to access an integrated, multi-disciplinary team which cansupport both the creative and the commercial aspects of improving practices.
www.ntu.ac.uk/futurefactory
Skills4Energy
To facilitate the move towards a lower carbon future the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is ensuring appropriate support is available for Further Education Colleges and Skills Providers to provide suitable training
within the region in energy technologies.
www.skills4energy.com
National Power Industry Skills Academy
A new skills academy for the power industry has been launched by Energy Minister David Kidney during a visit to Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.
E.ON's Engineering Academy at the Notts power station will form part of the National Skills Academy for Power, which has been developed by electricity companies and their supply chain. The scheme will help develop the skilled workforce the energy industry needs as it moves towards a low
carbon future.
Catapulting Kids Further!
Local company Sasie, who are based in Bulwell, has recently partnered with a German training equipment manufacturer, New College Nottingham and a number of Nottingham schools to deliver new and innovative 'hands-on' learning for 14-19 year olds in the field of renewable energy technologies.
A continued supply of skilled people for the industry will be essential in helping the industry flourish. Funded by the East Midlands Development Agency and East Midlands New Technology Initiative, the ‘Catapulting Kids’ Renewable
Energy Applied Learning (REAL) Demonstrator will belaunched in March 2010 through initial ‘taster’ sessions.
www.eastmidlandsnti.co.uk/CatapultingKidsFurther
Midlands Energy Graduate School (MEGS)
Nottingham is home of the Midlands Energy Graduate School which is training some 150 PhD science and engineering students to fill the uK’s skills shortage in the growing energy and low carbon economies. The School represents the biggest concentration of energy research and expertise in the UK.
www.megs.ac.uk