Coleg Gwent is developing renewable energy teaching internationally by leading a unique partnership project with a college in South Africa.
After a meeting in Northlink College in Cape Town, South Africa earlier this year to grow curriculum links, the two Colleges decided to work together to introduce renewable energy teaching into the South African curriculum for the first time.
Quality and curriculum managers from Northlink College visited renewable energy centres at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport Campus and Coleg Llandrillo in September in the first stage of the project to see renewable energy teaching in practice at the Welsh colleges.
Coleg Gwent developed the idea into a collaborative project with fellow Welsh College Coleg Llandrillo, and the initiative secured further funding from the British Council in July 2013.
Head of School for Business at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport Campus, Julian Newberry was involved in the initial discussions with staff at Northlink College and helped to secure further British Council funding for the project. He said: “In today’s world, renewable energy training is vital for the continued employability of students, as well as being essential for the environment.
“We hope to improve the quality of student experience and help businesses to thrive by training their future employees in the skills and knowledge they’ll need in the rapidly developing renewable energy sector.
“We’re delighted to be working with our partners Coleg Llandrillo and Northlink College in South Africa to develop and share best practice and to ultimately help make the world a cleaner, greener place.”
Through innovative partnerships such as Coleg Gwent’s renewable energy centre the Baxi Academy, the College gives students studying for engineering qualifications the chance to experience the latest renewable technology so that they are well prepared for work with current knowledge of the sector.
Recently shortlisted for a Green Gown Award which recognises exceptional sustainability initiatives in UK colleges and universities, Coleg Gwent also shared with partners of the project how the organisation effectively manages its own waste and energy efficiency during the visit in September.
