Truro and Penwith College has opened a new training facility that will be used for teaching students about green construction techniques.
The Renewables Skills Centre, on the Truro campus, will expand the college's specialist construction department which currently delivers nearly 30 different qualifications.
The state-of-the art hub was built by local firm Fox Construction and paid for with a multi-million pound investment from the Local Skills Improvement Fund and the Government's 海角视频 Shared Prosperity Fund via the Construction Skills Hub project.
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The facility will provide dedicated teaching spaces for retrofit, renewables and modern methods of construction, supporting full-time courses for 16 - 19 year olds, apprenticeships, including a new Level 3 Civil Engineering programme in partnership with Cormac, and adult learning programmes.
Martin Tucker, principal of Truro and Penwith College, said: “The Renewables Skills Centre will equip learners with the green skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
"From apprenticeships to upskilling opportunities, we’re ensuring our workforce is ready to lead the way in sustainable building practices."
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders including Stacey Sleeman, head of skills at Cornwall Council; Ann Vandermeulen, development manager for Cornwall from the Federation of Small Businesses; and Mark Jones, chairman of the Constructing Excellence Cornwall Hub.
The college’s work forms part of a broader strategic partnership with The Cornwall College Group, which has collaborated to secure more than £11.4m of investment over the last five years from the 海角视频 Shared Prosperity Fund and Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund and Local Skills Improvement Fund to develop specialist facilities and training programmes in Cornwall specifically for the construction sector.
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“The expanded facility means we are able to embark upon renewable skills provision," added Mr Tucker.
“This transformational investment in Cornwall’s future positions Truro and Penwith College at the forefront of sustainable construction training and, through our partnerships with local employers and industry bodies, we are creating clear pathways into well-paid, future-proof careers for Cornish residents.”