NI Colleges Launch New 'Green Portfolio'

The first-ever prospectus detailing the diverse range of 'clean and green' courses offered by universities and colleges across Northern Ireland, has been unveiled by Carbon Zero NI.

The comprehensive prospectus offers full details on courses range from intensive one-day workshops designed to enhance skills and knowledge of senior managers up to four-year long full time degree courses.

It also details a range of industry-led training programmes in the areas of Energy Awareness, Renewable Technologies, Management, Responsible Sourcing of Materials and Sustainable Construction.

Dr Lorna Lawrence, Research Lecturer at Carbon Zero NI said the easy-to-use guide would help potential students and trainees explore the full range of study and training opportunities available to them.

"The development of innovative 'clean and green' technologies is off to a promising start in Northern Ireland – and that should be no surprise. These new industries require a highly skilled knowledge-based workforce and this guide is designed to help match local talent with courses that address industry need.

"Spanning all universities and colleges in Northern Ireland, the simple design of the prospectus enables potential students to quickly and simply review the courses which enable them to advance green collar careers and play a role in accelerating the development of exciting new technologies."

Compiled and published by Carbon Zero NI, a Further Education sector programme led by South West College, the authoritative portfolio was unveiled in Cookstown by a panel of sustainability and renewable technology experts.

David Surplus from B9 Energy Group said many of the courses were developed in partnership with industry, to ensure that the emerging workforce would be optimally skilled and qualified to enter the renewables industry and provide valuable capacity for research and innovation.

"Northern Ireland’s colleges and universities have established strong links with industry and commerce. Working closely with local industry, the University and FE College network has shaped its curriculum in line with the forecasted needs of the local market to optimise their offering and help produce a workforce with high employability.

"This will be critical to ensure we can accelerate Northern Ireland’s position as a market leader and prepare the workforce with the best skills and training available," he said.

(GK/BMcC)