Jersey's renewable energy focussed academy welcomes students

An academy set up for apprentices to learn skills that can help provide and support the use of renewable energy on the island has started welcoming students.

Highlands College and Jersey Electricity (JE) announced in February they have partnered to launch the Green Skills Academy.

The idea came about after a team member at JE noticed there was a need for better training, focussed on the sector.

Plumbing apprentice Corie Smith said: "I think there's nothing more special than being a part of the future and building a greener, more sustainable future up and around."

He added he wanted to be part of something "that's building towards the future".

"Previous to this I was just doing ordinary plumbing and normal heating, contributing in the best ways I could, and when I found out about this opportunity and I spoke to my tutor about it and I thought it was an opportunity that I couldn't possibly turn down."

Along with learning the plumbing skills, he said he gets to "contribute to the future of Jersey and the people around me, which I think is a beautiful thing".

CEO of JE Chris Ambler, said: "There was a recognition that there was a limited number of skilled individuals in green technologies in the marketplace, so we decided to seed the Green Skills Academy, and that's what we're opening.

"What we've built here is a state-of-the-art training system and yes, it's equipment but it's also the curriculum."

On the topic of apprentices, he added: "We're hoping we're going to produce 36 over the next three years, who will help install a lot more facilities."

Lance Chatfield, principal at Highlands College, said: "Apart from obviously this holistic approach around making sure they've got the qualifications they need, it's also having hands-on experience which is absolutely essential to them [apprentices].

"Understanding how the technologies work and around us we've got some of the best kit in the world, so we make sure they get hands-on with that kit."

He added: "It is groundbreaking and I would say exceeds most of the facilities I've ever seen across the UK and the rest of Europe.

"We are bringing this to the island to make sure that our young people and those wishing to retrain can come here, study and end up working here and stay on this island which is obviously key for the island's economy."

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