MidKent College students tried VR headsets to find out what it’s like to be a wind turbine technician as part of two events to celebrate Green Careers Week 2023, with employers showcasing their work in sustainability!
ZERO and Green Careers took place on the Medway and Maidstone campuses. Experts from a variety of sectors held workshops to explain their green agenda and what skills they need from employees.
Chris Hare, Executive Director for Employers and Corporate Services at MidKent College, said: ‘We know our staff and students are passionate about reducing our impact on the environment. It is a key priority for the College, and we are on target to use only renewable energy sources on our Maidstone and Medway campuses by 2025. Events like this are linked to our environmental ambitions by giving students the chance to hear directly from employers about the opportunities for careers in these fields once they complete their courses. Employers are always interested to meet students from all backgrounds with a view to future vacancies or apprenticeships.’
Steve McGregor, group managing director, DMA group, said: ‘As a former electrical engineering student at MKC some 44 years ago, I still recognise the great start it gave me. The built environment presents huge opportunities for young people, not only because it’s a great sector to work in both nationally and internationally, but there’s a huge skills shortage too. And as MD of a local business, and local employer celebrating our 220th anniversary this year, we’re keen to share our experiences and opportunities to inspire the next generation.’
Mark Bidewell, managing director, Bison, said the print industry faces challenges due to a significant skills gap. ‘Parents are not encouraging their children to explore opportunities in the print/signage industry, aside from the popular choice of becoming a "Graphic Designer."
‘However, despite the prevailing trend, 50% of our team members are Graphic Design graduates. What's even more fascinating is that 75% of them have found outstanding and fulfilling roles in other areas of our business that they had never considered during their education. 71% of our team members are under the age of forty, yet they have remained loyal to BISON for over a decade. This exemplifies the dedication and commitment of young professionals who find a sense of purpose and satisfaction within our organization. BISON firmly believes that the individuals MidKent educate, possess the potential to contribute to our ongoing success and grow alongside us.’
The exhibitions took place in the Green Skills Factory at Maidstone on Monday 6th November and in the Pavilion at Medway on Tuesday 7th November.
At Maidstone employers CBRE, Bison, CC Cousins, RD UK, MYA Consulting Services, took part, with Maidstone Borough Council explaining the role of local authorities in reaching Net Zero. MYA who specialise in the role of physics in the design of new building and refurbishments are looking to build an apprenticeship programme as an entry to the industry.
At Medway the employers that took part are Oxbury Bank, DMA Maintenance, CC Cousins, RD UK, Vattenfall, and Actis Insulation. Students will hear about the careers available in the financial services sector that support agriculture, energy saving and cutting carbon with Rye, Winchelsea & District Hospital, the first carbon neutral community hospital in the UK, the use of VR to see the day to day life of a wind turbine technician, and insulation standards.
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- A £5,010,254.00 grant from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to match a financial commitment from the College will enable MidKent College to reduce gas consumption for energy use on its campuses in Maidstone and Gillingham to zero and produce nearly all of its electricity on site. By 2030 the ZERO project will have largely recouped the initial capital outlay
- https://www.midkent.ac.uk/about-us/strategic-priorities/zero
- https://www.dma-group.co.uk
- https://www.madebybison.co.uk
- The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) provides grant funding to public sector organisations to deliver capital energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects within public sector non-domestic buildings, including central government departments and non-departmental public bodies in England
- Salix Finance is a company limited by guarantee (England & Wales Company number 05068355), which is wholly owned by the Government and operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), under the sponsorship of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It is the delivery body for the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and the Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF). These projects provide grant funding to public sector organisations for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from public sector buildings. Salix also works with the Scottish and Welsh devolved administrations, delivering financial support and loan schemes.
- A £5,010,254.00 grant from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to match a financial commitment from the College will enable MidKent College to reduce gas consumption for energy use on its campuses in Maidstone and Gillingham to zero and produce nearly all of its electricity on site. By 2030 the ZERO project will have largely recouped the initial capital outlay
