The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies has widened the reach of its training provision following the sign-up of six new hubs.
Approved to deliver the Skills Academy's accredited renewable and low carbon courses, the recent additions are Highbury College in Portsmouth, Carshalton College, Oldham College, Carlisle College, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and Central Sussex College.

The new hubs joined the Skills Academy at the beginning of October, bringing the total to 20 which, alongside supporting training providers, bumps the number up to 100 Skills Academy centres now located throughout the country.

Technologies covered include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting and recycling with micro-wind, micro-hydro and biomass set for introduction next year.

To become a hub, training providers have to meet stringent criteria: excellent facilities that will be kept up-to-date as new technologies emerge, tutors who are required to carry out a defined staff development programme, a good relationship with manufacturers to ensure equipment is continuously upgraded, courses delivered by experts in their field and a proven track-record of delivering assured training in all of the environmental technologies.

Cathryn Hickey, interim director for the Skills Academy, said: 'One of the key aims of the Academy is that it's accessible, with good geographical coverage so it can be utilised by employers throughout the country. I am delighted to welcome these six new colleges as Skills Academy hubs; their locations mean that even more businesses will be able to benefit from industry leading training, enabling them to take advantage of the market-opportunities presented by the country's need to reduce its carbon footprint.'

Other aims of the National Skills Academy include ensuring training is demand driven and of the highest quality, setting the standard for industry and meeting the needs of employers; now and in the future. All training is mapped against National Occupational Standards (NOS).

To find your nearest Skills Academy training provider visit www.nsaet.org.uk.