South Derbyshire District Council is offering free green-skills training for local tradespeople in Swadlincote to help them learn how to install modern, low‑carbon technologies. The initiative is aimed at workers in the construction and automotive sectors as the country moves toward greener energy standards.
The council has partnered with Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) to deliver the courses at the new Green Skills Centre based at the Stephen Burke Construction Academy. The facility was officially opened on 28 February 2025 and provides hands-on training with sustainable technologies.
Local workers can sign up for lessons on fitting air source heat pumps, installing solar photovoltaic systems, and fitting electric vehicle charging points, among other subjects. The programme includes free Level 2 and Level 3 accredited training in these high‑demand areas as the UK updates building and vehicle standards to support decarbonisation.
The training is fully funded through government funding streams, principally the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), delivered locally through the South Derbyshire Accelerator, so eligible local employers do not have to pay to send staff on the courses. To qualify for the free training the business must be physically located within the South Derbyshire district; note that employees who live in Swadlincote but are employed by firms based outside the district may not be eligible for the same funding.
Organisers say the programme will help small local firms stay competitive and ensure the workforce is ready for the future. John Beaty, Principal and Chief Executive of Burton and South Derbyshire College, said: “Our mission at BSDC is to provide all of our learners with the skills they need both now and in the future. This investment will ensure that our construction learners develop key skills in technologies that will help decarbonise the regional economy, providing local communities with a greener future.”
