Welcoming City of Wolverhampton College students to our Net Zero Training Academy
We’re committed to creating green skills opportunities and careers – and that includes welcoming students to our Kingswinford site to help ignite their passion for a new energy world.
We love bringing the energy transition to life for the next generation, helping to educate, inspire and encourage young people. That’s why we recently welcomed students from City of Wolverhampton College to our Net Zero Training Academy in Kingswinford, enabling them to gain first-hand experience of the latest innovations in sustainable energy during a specially-organised Renewable Awareness Day.
The students, who are studying for electrical qualifications, attended presentations and interactive workshops covering solar power and battery storage systems, energy efficient urban development, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and air source heat pump technology.
The sessions provided an in-depth look at the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the green energy sector and how these sustainable energy systems operate including the installation processes and cost considerations.
The hands-on learning opportunity is part of the college’s mission to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for the evolving job market, particularly in industries aligned with net zero targets and sustainable development goals. It also opens doors to potential career paths in one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy – green skills.
Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next, said: “The advantage of our Kingswinford-based training academy is our ability to not only inspire and train our own colleagues about the part they’re playing in energy transition, but to offer this out as a wider educational facility as well.
“It’s great to have welcomed students from City of Wolverhampton College to our academy, and we’re pleased to be supporting our local communities and the creation of green skills.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to the Warm Homes Plan and believe partnerships with cities, businesses and industries are key to achieving affordable energy, as well as wider benefits for people and for society into the longer term.”
Peter Merry, Deputy Principal and Chief Executive at City of Wolverhampton College, said: "Working with E.ON and benefitting from the immersive learning experiences on offer at its Net Zero Training Academy reinforces the college’s commitment to ensuring students gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to meet the demands of a greener economy.
"We hope this marks the beginning of a wider collaboration with E.ON, creating even more opportunities for our students."
Kevin Pepkowski, aged 17, who is studying for an electrical installation technical certificate, added: "It was great to see how E.ON is adapting to sustainable energy, get information about the skills employees will need and find out about job opportunities with the company in the future."
Helping to nurture future talent
Our work with the City of Wolverhampton College is one of the many in ways in which we’re helping young people develop the skills to thrive in a green career.
For example our Enterprise Advisor programme empowers colleagues to volunteer to support school and college students with career and education, and we’re also committed to apprenticeships which support young people to develop the skills and experience that employers are looking for.
For more information about careers at E.ON, visit our careers website.