E.ON Next and Dudley College power up next generation of green collar workforce

Through this collaboration, E.ON Next and Dudley College will be equipping students with the skills needed to lead the charge in low-carbon technologies – and ensuring the West Midlands remains at the forefront of energy innovation and benefits from the energy transition.

The new solutions centre will serve as a hub for training and innovation, giving both students and the wider community hands-on experience in the latest low-carbon technologies including solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps and battery storage.

The centre will not only offer practical training opportunities but will also help reduce the college’s carbon footprint by operating as a fully self-sustained building, using the latest heat pump, solar and EV charging technology.

Phil Gilbert, Net Zero Delivery Director at E.ON Next, said: “What we call the energy transition will bring benefits to communities including new jobs and skills, cleaner air in our cities and more affordable energy. As the playmaker in this new energy world, we are bringing our scale and our experience in innovation to make this come to life in many ways.

“Our partnership with Dudley College will be vital to our goal of developing green skills and sustainable jobs here in the West Midlands. The new solutions training centre will provide a unique space for students and community members to engage with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring our home region remains a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future.”

Located just a stone’s throw from E.ON’s own Net Zero Training Academy in Kingswinford, Dudley College has been instrumental in training the next generation of energy professionals. The partnership has particularly benefited students enrolled in T-Level programmes, a two-year qualification equivalent to three A-Levels that blend classroom learning with industry placements.

Through this collaboration, students in the Electrotechnical T-Level programme have already gained invaluable hands-on experience at E.ON, developing the practical skills needed for successful careers in the energy sector. Many apprentices have gone into full-time roles as engineers and technicians, delivering sustainable energy solutions directly to customers’ homes or businesses.

Commenting on the new initiative, Karl Townsend, Curriculum Manager at Dudley College, said: “The college has been able to build the new centre with funding from the Local Skills Improvement Fund, which is targeted at developing higher level technical skills that meet local employer priorities.

“The relationship that has been built up between the College and E.ON is the perfect example of a local college working directly with an employer to help learners gain the skills they need to get good jobs and increase their prospects. It’s great to have an active employer partner like E.ON, who can see the benefits not only to their own company but to the region by supporting training opportunities to create a  skilled workforce for the future.”  

The expanded partnership opens up exciting new opportunities for the local community, offering residents the chance to learn about and work with sustainable technologies.

E.ON is already in discussions with several other colleges across the UK to replicate this innovative model, ensuring that more communities can benefit from cutting-edge green energy training.

Phil Gilbert added: “The Government has set an ambitious target of creating two million green jobs in the UK by 2030 to deliver a cleaner and more affordable energy future. We’re doing our bit to deliver the jobs and skills needed to do just that, and making sure those secure jobs are available to people across the Midlands to make new energy work.”