Yeovil College played a key role in the Strategic Development Fund (SDF) application for the Heart of the Southwest submitted to the Department for Education last year. The project focused on increasing green skills provision, aligning the curriculum with evolving sector needs, and enhancing talent pathways between educational institutions and industries. The goal was to address the training demand for over 45,000 new green jobs by 2030 in the Heart of the South West, with a particular emphasis on retrofitting homes and installing new energy systems.

The SDF also involved input from sector-specific employers, particularly in construction, who emphasized the importance of responsible skills training and highlighted opportunities for employment and career progression in the emerging green economy, decarbonization of the construction industry, and retrofitting existing housing stock.

Yeovil College played a key role in the Strategic Development Fund (SDF) application for the Heart of the Southwest submitted to the Department for Education last year. The project focused on increasing green skills provision, aligning the curriculum with evolving sector needs, and enhancing talent pathways between educational institutions and industries. The goal was to address the training demand for over 45,000 new green jobs by 2030 in the Heart of the South West, with a particular emphasis on retrofitting homes and installing new energy systems.

The SDF also involved input from sector-specific employers, particularly in construction, who emphasized the importance of responsible skills training and highlighted opportunities for employment and career progression in the emerging green economy, decarbonization of the construction industry, and retrofitting existing housing stock.

In tandem with acquiring the Sabre Rigs equipment, Yeovil College has prioritized upskilling existing staff through Industry Placements, ensuring they receive targeted professional development. This knowledge is then disseminated to colleagues and directly applied to benefit full-time, apprentice, and adult learners. The college’s green construction curriculum has experienced significant growth, with the Sabre Training Rigs facilitating hands-on and engaging sessions. These sessions are built on themes designed in collaboration with employers to meet the evolving needs of the local green construction and retrofit agenda.

“The introduction of the rig as a resource has created a more dynamic learning experience for all students, its mobility and functionality make it a reliable tool for learners to embed skills and knowledge of renewable energy systems.”

Paul Cuff, Yeovil College Assessor/Deliverer