New training centre will address Net Zero skills shortage

October 20, 2023

Work is under way on a new training centre to help the Marches develop new skills to help the drive to Net Zero.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has invested £1.2million into the creation of the Herefordshire Low Carbon Technology Centre as part of its commitment to driving a sustainable and green economy across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

The centre – which will support 750 new learners in its first three years and provide training in low carbon and renewable technologies – will be based in a new home at Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College’s Holme Lacy campus.

It was awarded funding from the newly-created Marches Energy Fund – developed by the LEP in response to the climate emergency and soaring energy costs in the wake of the conflict in the Ukraine.

The centre, which is scheduled to be complete by next Easter, will develop industry-leading training in green skills, ensuring that a new generation of skilled engineers and installers can keep the Marches at the forefront of the green revolution.

LEP chief executive Rachel Laver was given a tour of the site and said she was delighted with how things were progressing.

“It is wonderful to see this really important project taking shape and the sense of excitement around the centre as it gathers pace.

“This centre will help to address a well-established shortage in green skills and support the journey to Net Zero, not just locally but by training people from across the region.

“It will be amongst the first nationally to offer the new apprenticeship standard in Low Carbon Heating Technician and showcase low carbon technologies, improving business and home efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.”

As an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved centre, training will be provided to the construction industry, developing the skills required to install low-carbon technologies, including solar, ground-source and air-source heat pumps in both new build and retrofit settings.

The centre will also train the college’s electrical, plumbing and construction students and apprentices.

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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