On Monday 29th March 2010, The South West College unveiled a 'green' training initiative to support job opportunities in the fast growing renewable energy sector.
Supported by industry heavyweights; NIE, Bombardier and B9 Energy and funded by Department of Employment and Learning (DEL), the new 'Carbon Zero NI' programme aims to develop and deliver green educational and training programmes within the FE sector ensuring NI can compete in the multi-billion pound global 'clean and green' market.
All six regional FE Colleges are involved in the initiative though the project is led by the South West College. Speaking at the launch at the Dungannon campus of the college, Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey said the programme will power NI's bid to become a leader in the clean energy sector. The Minister promised that his department would give every support to FE in developing partnerships with colleges and businesses across the globe. He went on to predict that future international opportunities would be identified through the programme. Undoubtedly, the college network will be invaluable to those local companies already keen to exploit new opportunities. The likelihood of new markets opening up both here at home and abroad is both challenging and exciting.
The programmes will provide local industry with R and D services, support, technology development, specialist training and advice in all areas of Sustainable Development. The new programme will deliver hundreds of courses specially designed to help businesses adapt to the emerging green economy and train students to tap into the new green collar jobs.
It is widely recognised that future economic growth lies in the development of sustainable, clean technologies that benefit the environment and support job creation. Carbon ZeroNI will allow our FE Colleges to take the lead in helping to equip students and businesses with the expertise and skills to profit from the green economy.
Writing in the Business section of the Irish News (Tuesday April 6th 2010) Susan Kinane, Managing Director ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE) reviews the landscape as NI undertakes the transition to renewable energy.
Despite the disappointment with no international agreement from the Copenhagen summit on climate change in December 2009, what's clear is that any international agreement would have benn dependent on action being taken at local level. The NI Executive's strategic energy framework has set the target of 40% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2025. Eco-friendly energy provision will be key to delivering a sustainable future in NI and the energy sector here has to recognise the importance of and continue to invest in this area.
Here in NI, we enjoy a unique position compared to our colleagues within Europe especially in terms of access to wind conditions of sufficient speed to make investment economical. An increase in the use of eco-friendly renewable power will reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, thereby reducing exposure to the highly volatile international prices for such commodities, given their decreasing availability over which NI has no control, thereby enhancing competitiveness internationally.
With regard to our existing resources, wind turbines are perhaps the best known and will be a key area if the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's (DETI) renewable target is to be met.
ESBIE and Queens University, Belfast have fused a new working partnership aimed at preparing young people to work in this important and emerging sector of work. This new partnership will offer four scholarship per year to MEng Electrical/Electronic engineering students and in their work experience with the company, help create opportunities for NI's top engineering students. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects have been earmarked as key areas that will impact on future competitiveness and ability to grow and maintain high value jobs. Read more
PROJECT 1
At present there are a number of interesting developments within NI nascent renewable sector. Why not have your students research the initiatives that are currently afoot in wind, solar, biomass, wave energy. Locate some local companies that are meeting the needs and challenges of the future and set up a RENEWABLE ENERGY information board somewhere in the school to highlight the sector and the opportunities that it hold for jobs of the future.
PROJECT 2
I recently came across an interesting and related article in the Environment section of the Irish News (Thursday April 8th 2010). I thought the content of the competition 'Challenge Europe', if modified, might make an interesting project for a sixth form collaborative exercise with different subject departments within the school participating.
In brief, since 2008 the British Council has challenged hundreds of early career individuals from 13 countries across Europe to take action to cut carbon use by joining a pan-European programme launched to change the way we use carbon forever.
The organisation recently launched the final recruitment for 'Challenge Europe' and is looking for participation from throughout Ireland. Selected by an independent panel the 15 'climate advocates' will be announced in May.
The challenge for the final 'climate advocates' will be to draw on knowledge from the worlds of science, business, academia and political thinking to develop and propose THREE practical ideas by the end of this year. They will then pitch the ideas to outside groups including businesses, entrepreneurs, politicians to transform the concepts into reality. 'Challenge Europe' aims to show that individuals outside the climate change arena can bypass debate and make a profound impact. More details on the competition and an interesting application form to accompany it can be reviewed here. Read more
The Eden Project has launched a unique online 'green' careers resource, funded by DFSF. Focused on jobs that contribute towards building a sustainable future Real Cool Futures features an interactive database of inspirational case studies, written and film referenced by areas of talent and interest. In addition, the site contains a range of downloadable innovative teaching resources designed in partnership with secondary school teachers. The resource's aim is to support teaching professionals in careers education, PSHE and a number of other curriculum subjects. Real Cool Futures is Eden's first online initiative to reach secondary schools across the UK. Read more
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