Association of Colleges

Bedford College, in partnership with Lowestoft College, is home to the country’s only Skills for Energy Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE). The college’s innovative and technologically advanced curriculum meets the ever increasing demand for renewable energy - created from biomass, wind or solar sources.

Alongside courses on solar water heating and bio-mass technologies, the college is developing a sustainable construction curriculum. A green theme runs as standard in many areas - for instance, students are learning about using bio-fuels in motor vehicle classes and energy saving houses in construction lessons.

The college has close links with employers - locally, regionally and around the UK -and is currently working on a project delivering renewable energy technology installation and maintenance training to SMEs across south east England. In the past year, over 200 employees representing about 150 businesses from across the UK attended the college’s photovoltaic and solar water heater installation courses.

Bedford College takes every opportunity to share its good practice with others within the school and FE sectors. This is done through a variety of activities such as Skills for Energy days for local schools, train the trainer courses, networking activities, and presentations at regional and national events.

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