Abingdon and Witney College has secured funding aimed at promoting green skills and care courses.

The funding will allow the college to offer a variety of free courses to those who live or work in the region, with the aim of improving their employability and supporting sustainability and social welfare.

With the backing of West Oxfordshire District Council and through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the initiative will look to help the college align with the UK’s net-zero emissions goal.

It also aims to address an increase in demand for skilled professionals in the care sector.

Its core vision is to empower West Oxfordshire residents with the skills needed to be successful in green technology and healthcare.

As the UK moves towards a low-carbon economy, the need for professionals with an understanding of renewable energy and sustainable construction is growing.

Abingdon and Witney College is offering courses such as a Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Heat Pumps and a Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit in a bid to meet this demand.

These programmes are designed to equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work in green technology, a sector which is becoming increasingly central to the UK’s economic and environmental future.

The healthcare sector's need for qualified professionals is also increasing, particularly given the significant pressure it has experienced in recent years and the backdrop of an ageing population.

In response, the college is offering courses in health and social care, and hospitality, with the goal of certifying at least 100 people.

It will be addressing a pressing societal need through these courses while also offering a pathway to meaningful and stable employment.

The new courses are set to equip residents with skills that lead to better job opportunities, while building a stronger, more sustainable economy for the community.

Jacqui Canton, principal and chief executive of Abingdon and Witney College, said:
"We are thrilled to launch this initiative, offering free courses that will empower individuals in West Oxfordshire with essential skills in both the care and green technology sectors."

The college said the initiative is a "powerful example of how targeted education and skills development can drive positive change, ensuring a brighter future for all". 

It said by focusing on both green technology and care, it is not only "enhancing the employability of its learners" but also contributing to the "resilience and sustainability of the local economy".

For more information about the courses, visit the Abingdon and Witney College website. https://abingdon-witney.ac.uk/