Published: 7 Mar 2023, 15:40
City Building executive director Alan Burns with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially opening the new college alongside apprentices who will be based there. Image: City Building.
Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has officially opened what is said to be one of Scotland’s “most sustainably built colleges”, featuring a 26.22kW solar installation.
The energy generated from the 69 photovoltaic (PV) panels is set to provide sufficient energy to power the entire building, with any surplus power used for Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries’ adjacent manufacturing site.
City Building said the “state-of-the-art” building is also fitted with air-source heat pumps, to provide it with renewable, low-cost heat.
The college will be used by up to 250 apprentices across a variety of disciplines, including within the renewable and technology sectors.
“The college is a significant investment for our business and will form the basis of our skills agenda for decades to come, said Alan Burns, executive director of City Building.
“If the country is serious about achieving net zero then it will be these young men and women who will be critical to delivering this goal, and with this new facility we are also preparing them with lifelong skills.”
Sturgeon added: “The Scottish government recognises the role apprenticeships play in unlocking potential for the benefit of Scotland’s economy. Growing our workforce is crucial, which is why we must continue our work to increase opportunities for young people by providing them with quality work-based training.
“Apprenticeships also support economic renewal and key priorities, including our net zero ambitions. Facilities like this will be critical in building the next generation of workers who will deliver the vast change needed, not just across the construction industry but across our entire workforce.”
“Whether it be installing new renewable energy sources such as solar panels or repairing and maintaining brick work in some of Scotland’s most historic and treasured buildings, the skills these young people learn in this very college will be used to deliver net zero for the entire country.”
This will be one of the last duties Sturgeon performs before the Scottish National Party’s leadership election on 13 March; Solar Power Portal’s sister site, Current±, took a look at Sturgeon’s time in office from an energy point of view, which can be found here.