The facility was pioneered by LC Energy in partnership with Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) and Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The opening of the centre is an important first step in addressing the significant skills shortage in the renewable energy sector in the UK. This will lead to courses which, for the first time, will enable students aged between 16 and 19 to gain accredited technical qualifications in renewable energy, marking a key development in delivering the skills required by employers to help the UK meet its renewable energy targets.
“I was very pleased to go back to Berkshire College of Agriculture to hear of the innovative work the college is doing and to open the new energy centre” Theresa May said. “It’s vital that young people have the education and skills to take on the jobs needed for the future. So I was pleased to be able to meet with students who, through using the new energy centre, will be given the training and opportunity to make a real difference to help protect our planet for future generations.”
Mark Lebus, Managing Director of LC Energy, added that the renewable energy sector offers sustainable employment but currently lacks accredited training and skills.
“By widening access to training we can eliminate the skills shortage and play our part in creating a Britain fit for the future – outlined in the Government’s recent Industrial Strategy” said Mr Lebus. “Our thanks to Theresa May MP for kindly opening this facility and to our project partners for working with us to make this happen.”
The UK has been allocated a target to increase the proportion of its renewable energy use to 15 percent by 2020. There is currently a shortfall of 50 percent in the 12 percent target for the generation of heat from renewable sources and a shortfall of 18 percent in the 30 percent target for the generation of electricity from renewables.
According to Matthew Woodcock, Partnerships and Expertise Manager at the Forestry Commission, in the South East, the most wooded region in England, the biomass industry is key to the economic viability of woodland management. The wood fuel strategy for England is about reversing the decline in woodland biodiversity by increasing the number of sustainably managed woodlands. Mr Woodcock said that the move by LC Energy and BCA to increase awareness and training opportunities for 16-19 year olds in biomass engineering careers is vital to creating more jobs and developing a vibrant and sustainable biomass industry
LC Energy firmly believes that extending access to approved and accredited technical education and skills training in renewable energy is key to addressing the skills shortage, and to reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. As such, the company has installed the first training biomass boiler at a UK College of Further Education to facilitate accredited training for the next generation of heating and plumbing engineers.
The college already has two biomass boilers and engine rooms on campus.
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