Glasgow Kelvin College’s Green Academy prepares students for sustainable technology careers
Glasgow Kelvin College is making strides in sustainability and skills development with its Green Academy, an initiative designed to train students in emerging green technologies.
The program, created to support Scotland's transition to net-zero, was officially opened by Dr. Alasdair Allan, the Scottish Government’s Acting Minister for Climate Action, on December 11.
During his visit to the Springburn campus, Dr. Allan toured the academy, where hundreds of engineering apprentices have already received training in technologies such as air-source heat pumps and solar energy systems. The college has invested over $100,000 in the bespoke workshop to become a center of excellence for sustainable fuel and solar technology training.
Dr. Allan said:
“I would like to congratulate Glasgow Kelvin College on the incredible honor of winning an International Green Gown Award. It demonstrates the work being done here deserves to be recognized on the world stage. I am delighted to officially open Glasgow Kelvin College’s Green Academy and recognize its valuable work in developing the future workforce with the critical skills needed for Scotland’s transition to net zero.”
The Green Academy offers students hands-on experience in the installation and maintenance of advanced heating and energy technologies. The program equips students with in-demand skills and supports the upskilling of current professionals.
Peter Brown, Director of Curriculum, Skills, and Apprenticeships at Glasgow Kelvin College, explained the importance of this investment:
“Taking responsibility for your environmental impact is essential in education and all areas of life. Our goal is to be one of Scotland’s most sustainable colleges, and this investment will help ensure we achieve that.
“Our investment in the Green Academy comes at a time when skills development in the sector is critical as we approach widespread energy transition. Demand for new technologies, including heat pumps, is increasing. That, combined with potential legislative changes, will create a significant need for skills to implement those technologies across industries and residential properties, and we are prepared to contribute to meeting that need.
“It’s also about equipping current students with foundational skills, supported by industry experience, with the potential to pursue further education in universities to develop new technologies. This is a long-term investment for the college and for Scotland’s future.”
Glasgow Kelvin College recently received international recognition as one of only two UK institutions to win an International Green Gown Award. The award highlighted a project in which students repurposed used wedding dresses into new designs.
Sarah Shea, Environmental Sustainability Manager at the college, emphasized the broader vision:
“We’re tenacious in our efforts – we want to be a truly sustainable college. We are taking a multi-layered approach with smaller changes underpinning larger ones across all curriculum areas. We want to set the gold standard for sustainability – everything we are doing here could be replicated on other campuses and by other colleges.”
