Green Skills Academy launches in Greater Manchester as “first of its kind” in the UK

A new Green Skills Academy is launching in Greater Manchester, as part of a pan-northern effort to lead the UK’s transition to Net Zero.

The “first of its kind” in the UK, the Green Skills Academy boasts “innovative” green technologies and a “comprehensive” training offer. It will play a “critical role” in Greater Manchester’s ambitions to reach Net Zero carbon as early as 2038 and will work with businesses UK-wide in order to help hit the national 2050 target.

Housed in Trafford Park, the Academy is equipped with the latest equipment that will help prepare today’s workforce for the opportunities and challenges presented by the global transition to a carbon neutral economy.

The Academy hosts a number of real-world work environments, including a model house to show how existing homes can be entirely powered by green technology. The onsite Low Energy Smart Home includes “state-of-the-art” automated technology as well as heat recovery and cooling systems that demonstrate how responsive they can be.

With an increased uptake in green technology, demand is growing for people with the necessary skills to install, repair and maintain these facilities. The Green Skills Academy offers a number of courses and has the capacity on site to train up to 100 learners per day.

The Green Skills Academy has been established by the Growth Company, an award-winning social enterprise. It is open to apprentices, sole traders and micro businesses through to SMEs and larger organisations to help future-proof the workforce in these specialist areas.

There are opportunities for those working in skilled trades across the North including electricians, plumbers, roofers, gas engineers, construction workers, heating programmers and technicians.

Roosevelt Alexander, director of the Green Skills Academy, commented: “A mass roll-out of sustainable energy solutions remains vital to accelerate our country’s transition to net zero carbon, and the impact of rising energy costs across the country is giving new impetus to the urgency.

“A tremendous effort is required for this transition, and we see the Green Skills Academy as being on the front line in terms of how we will help our workforce, individual households and communities to play a key part in the fight back against climate change.”

The Green Skills Academy will officially open on Thursday January 19, supported by a team of qualified employees who will train the next generation to tackle climate change and develop the economy of tomorrow.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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