PM Opens the UK’s first Biomass Training Facility at a Further Education College
This week Prime Minister Theresa May officially opened the UK’s first renewable energy training facility at a Further Education college. The Energy Centre at The Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), Maidenhead, is the result of a pioneering partnership between leading biomass company LC Energy, BCA and Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership.
The centre enables students aged between 16 and 19 to gain accredited technical qualifications in renewable energy, an important milestone in alleviating the UK’s renewable energy sector’s significant skills shortage.
Prime Minister Theresa May stated:
“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. 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, commented:
“We are delighted to have collaborated with BCA and the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP to deliver the UK’s first biomass training facility at a Further Education college.”
“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.”
“Our thanks to Theresa May MP for kindly opening this facility and to our project partners for working with us to make this happen.”
Gillian May, BCA Principal, says:
“The College enrolled 12 new apprentices in April 2018 for this and associated programmes. We already have two biomass boilers and engine rooms on campus, the addition of this new Centre provides the facility for the development of professionally recognised training for this sustainable energy provision.”
