A Green Skills upskilling project offering free and subsidised courses designed to support the move to NetZero in the region has been hailed as a great success. 180 qualifications were achieved by local people who took advantage of the free training.
Launched in the summer of 2024, the Green Skills upskilling project has been a collaborative effort to provide green skills training to help people gain skills for the future. This initiative is a partnership between Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council, City of Portsmouth College, and SERT Training.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the immediate application of their training to their work practices and the expansion of services they can offer to customers. Training took place at City of Portsmouth College and SERT Training, both of which offer modern, industry-specific resources.
Brad Howick, from TVR Electrical in Havant said: “The Green Skills funding helped our business through the EV charger course. This was extremely beneficial to have more engineers qualified to install EV chargers, giving us more flexibility with our scheduling.”
Cllr. Phil Munday, Leader of Havant Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to have secured a grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has enabled us to help and train many working in the construction trade.
By developing the skills and knowledge of those who live or work locally it will benefit us in making commercial buildings and homes in the borough more energy-efficient in the future.
“As a council, we are committed to tackling the climate emergency head-on. So, it is great that Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council have been able to work in partnership with SERT Group, and City of Portsmouth College who have provided the training to equip residents and businesses with green skills that will, in time help to decarbonise the borough.
“Industries are rapidly moving towards green skills so being prepared for this shift by upskilling the next generation of workers will benefit everyone.”
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for economic development said: “It is fantastic to see the impact of collaboration in action across our region via our Green Skills upskilling project. As we focus on a more sustainable future, investing in our workforce is essential, and these new green skills are enabling businesses and residents alike to adapt and thrive in our economy moving forward.”
Using UK Shared Prosperity Funding, this initiative focused on increasing skills and awareness of sustainable and net zero practices. Some of the courses on offer included:
- Electrical Energy Storage Systems
- Solar PV Installation
- Solar & Battery Combined
- Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Training
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Point
Mark Edwards, CEO SERT Group said: “We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, and City of Portsmouth College on this UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant for green upskilling. Over the past few months, SERT has upskilled 66 residents through 97 accredited upskill courses in sustainable energy solutions, including solar panel installation, battery storage, EV charging points, and air source heat pump design, installation, and maintenance. These initiatives are creating new career opportunities, driving renewable energy adoption, and supporting our collective journey towards net zero—making a real impact in our communities.”
Katy Quinn, Principal and CEO City of Portsmouth College said: “Sustainability is always high on our agenda, so we were delighted at the opportunity to access the prosperity funding. It meant we were able to offer plumbing and heating engineers from micro, small, and medium-sized businesses three one-day courses completely free of charge. It was fantastic to collaborate closely with Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council, and SERT to deliver this training, enhancing critical skills and making a difference for the people who live and work in our region.”