CWA Green Skills Academy opens in Wisbech, marking major boost for Fenland’s future 

The College of West Anglia has officially opened its new Green Skills Academy at its Wisbech campus, celebrating a major investment in sustainable skills and future opportunities for the Fenland community. 

The academy was formally opened on 22 April 2026 by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow, Jason Tucker, Director of Commercial Operations for Anglian Water Services and David Pomfret, CEO and Principal of CWA in an event attended by employers, partners, learners, and community representatives all coming together to mark the launch of a facility designed to support the region’s transition towards a greener economy. 

The Green Skills Academy, a cutting-edge facility represents a combined investment of £4.2 million, with £2 million from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authorities recycled Local Growth Fund money, £2 million from Anglian Water and their alliance partners, and £200,000 from the College of West Anglia. The building has been designed to deliver specialist training in sustainability, environmental technology and green- focused trade skills; sectors identified as critical for Fenland’s economic growth and future employment.

Guests at the opening explored the academy’s specialist facilities and took part in interactive activities delivered by employer partners, including:

         A working vacuum sewage system demonstration, showcasing modern sustainable wastewater infrastructure. 

         A directional drilling machine display, highlighting innovative engineering techniques used in underground infrastructure projects.

         A mycelium-based sustainable materials showcase, demonstrating emerging environmentally friendly construction solutions.

         Displays and insights from industry partners and green technology specialists.

         Electrical vehicle demonstrations highlighting various activities such as cordoning off areas, the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and how modern radar is used in cars. 

The event highlighted the strength of collaboration between education and industry in Fenland, with partners demonstrating how the academy will both support both young people entering the workforce and adults looking to retrain or upskill. Employers spoke about the importance of developing local talent to meet the demands of rapidly evolving green industries. 

David Pomfret, Principal and CEO of the College of West Anglia said, "Seeing the Green Skills Academy officially open its doors is something we are incredibly proud of. The Green Skills Academy represents what can be achieved when education, mayoral authority and industry work hand in hand; creating a space where students can develop practical, future-focused skills that directly support the growth of the green economy. It was fantastic to bring together partners, employers and learners to celebrate this milestone and showcase the opportunities that the academy will create for years to come." 

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said: "This is another example of the Combined Authority investing in skills opportunities in places where they are needed most. 

“This £2 million investment, working alongside Anglian Water and College of West Anglia, will give people the skills employers actually need.

"Our Local Growth Plan identifies Fenland and our Fens Growth Triangle Opportunity zone as a key area for accelerated growth. That growth depends on skilled people and that’s what this new academy will help provide

"It's about creating opportunities for well-paid jobs, supporting local employers to grow, and making sure Fenland is part of my push to triple the size of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy.”

Mark Thurston, Chief Executive of Anglian Water, said, “We've invested £2 million, alongside our alliance partners, to support the new Green Skills Academy. Water is critical to enabling economic growth, so the Green Skills Academy is one crucial way that we’re investing in these skills now, to provide a pathway for local people to get involved in really important work that will benefit our region’s environment for years to come."

The new academy is expected to play a key role in the strengthening the region’s workforce, helping residents access high-quality training while supporting businesses to grow sustainably. The opening marks the beginning of a new chapter for skills development in Wisbech and reinforces the College’s commitment to delivering education that meets the needs of the community.