The centre is equipped to train workers in retrofit, from insulation, heat exchange ventilation, heat pumps and solar panels, and was designed to be self sustainable. Academic equipment comes from Germany. Training rigs were designed by employers to be the most suitable to explain to technicians who are retraining.

The trip proved hugely beneficial to students, particularly as there was a heavy focus on retrofit for carbon reduction which aligned nicely with the design project that the students are currently working on for the College.

East Sussex College was selected to establish one of five new decarbonisation academies across Sussex to support the development of skills in retrofitting and green energy installation.

The new ESC Training Hub also took centre stage, as visitors found out about training opportunities available in sustainable energy solutions including retrofit and solar panels. The site at Hampden Retail Park opened in October 2022 and was recently featured in The Times in an article looking at apprentices leading the way to a cleaner future. The Training Hub fills the skills gap and will support the government’s goal to reach net-zero by 2050. As well as attracting new students in retrofit training and green energy solutions, the site will train existing employees, making it a valuable addition to the community.

Nick Backstrom, lead consultant on the project, says; “It’s taken three months, from delivering the brief to T-Level students to where we are today. Students have studied solar, retrofitting, wind energy and heat pump technology to fulfil the green initiative of the brief.”

In October 2022, East Sussex College’s Green Training Hub in partnership with OHM Energy was officially launched at Hampden Retail Park in Eastbourne. East Sussex College was selected to establish one of five new decarbonisation academies across Sussex to support the development of skills in retrofitting and green energy installation.

As part of the College’s green initiative, last month ESC launched its brand-new green Training Hub in partnership with OHM Energy at Hampden Retail Park in Eastbourne. The College was selected to establish one of five new decarbonisation academies across Sussex to support the development of skills in retrofitting and green energy installation.

Degree-level student, Marilyn Ward, who studies Mechanical Engineering at East Sussex College Hastings tested components for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on behalf of local company Retrotech, specialist aircraft restorers and aero consultants.