Skills Minister praises college for its ‘forward-thinking’ on green technologies

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Robert Halfon MP visited New City College’s Hackney Campus to meet students and find out about the college’s Low Carbon Technologies Training Centre.

During a tour of the innovative new labs, he commented on the forward-thinking approach of the college and its renewable energies facilities, saying: “This really is the future.”

Earlier this year, the state-of-the-art training centre was the first of its kind to open in a further education college. It was funded through the Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund, to enable delivery of high-quality technical education, which supports green technologies and the vital low carbon energy industry.

The Minister saw the facilities where installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps and battery storage are taught. He heard how training in these technologies is now available at the college for 16-18 year olds following relevant qualifications, as well as experienced tradespeople looking to upskill and re-qualify. He also discussed the importance of this technology in new housing developments and industry.

The minister met students and apprentices who are following vocational and technical qualifications, who discussed why they chose college and their course, and how other students might be encouraged to follow the same routes.

Ambar is studying motor vehicle maintenance and spoke about the importance of encouraging other female students into technical courses like hers. Shannia, studying health and social care, and Jonathan studying sport coaching, both aim to become teachers and talked about the value of their study, coupled with work experience.

Apprentice student Michael explained to the Minister the importance of the great level of support he gets from both the college and his employer. The Minister was particularly interested to hear from engineering T Level students Lewis and Daniel. T Levels are a new advanced level qualification and the Department for Education is keen to hear feedback from students about why they chose T Levels and how valuable they are in preparing young people for their future successful careers.

Thanking the students, the Minister said: “It’s been wonderful talking to you. You are remarkable students with bright futures ahead of you. I want to see more brilliant young people like you joining colleges to study for technical qualifications and apprenticeships.”

Gerry McDonald, CEO and Group Principal of New City College, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Robert Halfon MP, the Skills and Apprenticeships Minister to our campus, and to show him around the training facilities in our Centre for Renewable Energy. Our students also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss their positive college experience and aspirations with a Minister who really listened to their thoughts and opinions.”

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