SERC has opened an exciting new development at the College’s Holywood Campus. The new Zero Carbon Centre will host facilities for a range of green technology courses, upskilling the workforce to meet the demands of net zero targets and the challenges of climate change. As more households and businesses look to develop low carbon buildings and facilities, the construction industry will need staff with the skills and know-how to ensure these can be delivered.
The first phase comprised repurposing the main building on the Holywood Campus with deep retrofitting, and installing three new bespoke training units. A host of new courses and skills will be taught in state-of-the-art facilities adapted from shipping containers, with a further two units to be added.
The new units are fully fitted out with the latest equipment, and a number of bespoke new training courses will be provided by staff who are experts in these fields. The facilities will include everything needed to support industry by delivering practical, relevant skills and for the rigorous assessment of professional qualifications.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN
SERC Holywood Campus Zero Carbon Centre is the first base in Northern Ireland for delivering pioneering courses in green technologies. The college has worked with employers and awarding bodies to develop qualifications with a strong practical element to promote the skills which industry need, including a new Level 5 retrofit qualification. The state-of-the-art facilities at Holywood provide a unique setting to deliver this course, and the college is the first in NI to offer this training.
A GREENER BUILDING FOR GREEN TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
The existing pavilion building retrofit provides long-term energy security and long-term carbon savings.
The project will ensure longevity for the building, and will stand as a working example of how processes and design need to be adapted to meet the challenges of energy security and environmental impact.
This retrofit project will showcase to learners how technologies and better insulation can provide higher standards of building and contribute to the UK Government zero carbon targets, working towards objectives within the Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland.
The new Zero Carbon Centre has been supported by industry partners who supplied equipment for the new facility. Retrofitting the main building was paid for by the Department for the Economy.
Courses to be delivered at SERC Holywood Campus Zero Carbon Centre:
- Level 3 in Design of Heat Pump Systems
- Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps
- Level 3 Award in the Installation and Commissioning of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment
- Level 2 in Reducing Energy in Buildings
- Level 2 in Hydrogen Safety
- GQA Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Supervision
- OCN NI Level 5 Certificate in Green Technologies
- OCN NI Level 5 Award in Retrofitting Domestic Properties
- OCN NI Level 5 Certificate in Retrofitting Domestic Properties
- OCN NI Level 5 Extended Certificate in Retrofitting Domestic Properties
- Level 3 LPG Changeover Gas
- Water Safety in Healthcare
We will also be offering the following courses in the near future:
- L2 Award Retrofit
- Electric Energy Storage Systems
Courses run regularly throughout the year. To register your interest in future courses, or for more information on any of the programmes listed above, please contact Kelly Donnelly: kdonnelly@serc.ac.uk or 07866 146618 .
The SERC Holywood Campus Zero Carbon Centre was officially opened in May 2024; you can read more about the launch here .
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