Chris Lorimer

Director of Enterprise, Bicton College

Is Further Education ready for the Green

Economy?

No

Bicton College is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its activities through adopting sound principles and implementing good practice, and by continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Mission Statement:

To serve the education, training and knowledge needs of land-based industries in Devon, with innovation, enterprise and energy.

We will be recognised as a centre of vocational excellence for land based skills, environmental conservation, rural sustainability and land use.

FE – Call to arms

What percentage of Colleges are attending this conference?

• Deliver courses that lead to employment or higher education and provide real(istic) working environments

• Support innovation, business growth and development through advice and knowledge transfer.

• Bespoke training and continuous professional development for business workforces.

• Engage with schools by supporting all stages of the national curriculum.

• Awareness events and open days for the general public and those aspiring to careers in the green economy.

Respond to the implications that climate change has through curriculum design, operational activity and industry partnerships.

FE – Purpose

Why don’t OFSTED grade sustainability?

Operation / Estate Management

Curriculum Staff / Student Development

Students, Staff and

community

FE – Modus operandi

How many Colleges have Sustainability leads on their Senior Leadership Team?

• Estate Management Team• Supply Chain

http://www.green-accord.co.uk/http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7533

1. Operation/estate

Why have the LSC/SFA focused on fundingnew buildings not refeshing existing ones?

• Developing menu of QCF accredited coursesE.g. BTEC Entry 3 - L2 Sustainability Skills

BTEC L3 Environmental Sustainability

• Renewable Technologies provision through new National Skills Academy (short-courses & apprenticeships). In development.

2. Curriculum

Where is the leadership and drive from the Sector Skills Councils?

• 75% of 16-25yrs want to do something about climate change. 94% believe it important that communities work together to prevent the worst effects of climate change (YouGov, 2009)

• Almost 2/3 of HE students would like to see more about sustainable development in their course curriculum. 42% believe that ‘such knowledge will help them to get a job after leaving university or college’ (Future Leaders Survey, 2007/8)

• Leadership

Making sure that workers are environmentally literate means providing them with the skills, knowledge, tools and sensitivity required and to routinely include the environment as one of the considerations in their work and daily living (UnionLearn, April 2011)

3. Staff/Student

How can we build upon this enthusiasm and expertise in the current funding context?

Strategic Leadership

Chris Lorimer

Director of Enterprise, Bicton College