Leading Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero visits The Growth Company

A leading Government Minister has praised the Growth Company and the Energy Innovation Agency for leading the way in energy security and in creating green skills and jobs during a recent visit to the Green Skills Academy in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, Minister of State for Energy Security spoke about how the UK is leading the way in this area, highlighting that the UK has cut its emissions more than any other economy. As part of the tour the Minister held a roundtable discussion around how the government’s Green Jobs Plan will progress to deliver the skills needed for the UK workforce.

During the visit on Thursday 9th November, The Rt Hon Minister toured the facilities at the Green Skills Academy and learnt more about the latest green technologies emerging, such as infrared wallpaper to heat homes. He also heard about how GC Education and Skills is upskilling and supporting the local as well as the wider economy in the development of these technologies.

Roosevelt Alexander, Director of the Green Skills Academy led the tour, where the Minister met and spoke with apprentices about their course, their aspirations for the future, and how green skills and technologies would be a part of this. He recognised that apprentices had a rewarding career ahead of them in the green space, and by learning about low power technology they will help drive us all towards carbon neutrality. During his visit he looked at various future green technologies including the onsite Low Energy Smart Home.

Roosevelt Alexander said:

 “We were very proud to support the visit of The Rt Honourable Minister, Graham Stuart MP to the Green Skills Academy. We all recognise the impact we are having on the planet and on the region as a whole. This meeting allowed us to focus on how we can play our part in becoming net zero and how our partners/employers can join us on this journey. The Green Skills Academy is leading the way in the North West by supporting a great number of employers who wish to upskill their current workforce and by encouraging the next generation of low carbon innovators who will be the workforce of the future.”

During the visit the Energy Innovation Agency and Green Skills Academy shared examples of best practice. David Schiele, Director of The Energy Innovation Agency said:

“We need to increase the adoption and deployment of energy innovations to help us accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. The Agency is working with innovators and businesses to connect innovative products to end-users. We welcome the visit by The Rt Honourable Minister, Graham Stuart MP and are delighted to be able to share the innovative work we do to create a more carbon neutral economy for communities, businesses, organisations and industry across the North West.

David added, “At the Growth Company we don’t just support the Net-Zero agenda through our network of innovators and businesses, but also focus on solving some of our greatest challenges, including the green skills gap, supported by our colleagues at the Green Skills Academy. Here, the Growth Company is able to develop the skills to install and maintain new green technologies that will not only place Manchester at the forefront of emerging technologies but also support the city-region to reach its ambitious 2038 carbon-neutral target.”  

Following the tour, the Minister spoke to the Energy Innovation Agency about how they are transforming Greater Manchester energy systems and as the visit progressed the Minister saw more of how the Growth Company is paving the way for a more sustainable future for all, and the Growth Company’s goals to reach net zero in 2035.

The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero said,

“It's been inspiring to visit the Green Skills Academy, hearing directly from apprentices, innovators, and educators. Tens of thousands of jobs will be created as we green the economy and the Academy is making sure people in Manchester have the skills to access those well-paid roles in sectors ranging from building retrofit to EV charging."

As part of the visit the Minister met with four innovators who have been supported by the Energy Innovation Agency to help them overcome barriers to success, whilst supporting and empowering them to bring their innovations to market faster.

The Rt Hon Minister learnt more about how with the help of the Agency, the innovators would be able to accelerate their energy efficient solutions to market quickly and how this would help Greater Manchester meet climate change targets.

Find out more about how the Energy Innovation Agency can help your business or visit the Green Skills Academy website for more information on how to upskill your workforce to be part of a more sustainable future.