The Renewables Skills Centre will play a pivotal role in ensuring learners and employers have access to the latest green construction techniques
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In a major boost for Cornwall’s sustainable Construction sector, Truro and Penwith College has officially opened its new Renewables Skills Centre at the Truro campus. The landmark facility will train the next generation of tradespeople in vital green construction techniques, ensuring the region’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a net-zero future.
The state-of-the-art centre, constructed by local firm Fox Construction, has been made possible through a combined multi-million pound investment from the Local Skills Improvement Fund and from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the Construction Skills Hub project. This investment builds on the college’s strong track record in Construction education, having recently been recognised as national Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the 2025 ATA Awards.
The new centre will expand the college’s specialist Construction department, which currently delivers nearly 30 different qualifications across its campuses in Truro and Penzance. With approximately 400 full-time construction students and apprentices in the 2024/2025 academic year, and achievement rates exceeding 93% across these programmes, the College is well positioned to meet Cornwall’s growing demand for skilled workers. The facility will provide dedicated teaching spaces for Retrofit, Renewables, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), supporting full-time courses for 16 – 19 year olds, apprenticeships, including a new Level 3 Civil Engineering programme in partnership with Cormac, and innovative adult learning programmes such as Skills Bootcamps and professional masterclasses in External Wall Insulation (EWI) and Solar Panel Installation.
Martin Tucker, Principal of Truro and Penwith College, commented:
“The Renewables Skills Centre will equip learners with the green skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. From apprenticeships to upskilling opportunities, we’re ensuring our workforce is ready to lead the way in sustainable building practices.”
“The expanded facility means we are able to embark upon renewable skills provision, with identified specialisms for the College in Solar, Passivhaus, External Wall Insulation, Domestic Retrofitting and Regulatory Compliance.”
“This transformational investment in Cornwall’s future positions Truro and Penwith College at the forefront of sustainable construction training and, through our partnerships with local employers and industry bodies, we are creating clear pathways into well-paid, future-proof careers for Cornish residents.”
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including Stacey Sleeman, Head of Skills at Cornwall Council, Ann Vandermeulen, Development Manager for Cornwall from the Federation of Small Businesses, and Mark Jones, Chairman of the Constructing Excellence Cornwall Hub, who spoke about the centre’s role in supporting regional economic growth. The College’s work forms part of a broader strategic partnership with The Cornwall College Group, which has seen the Colleges collaborate to secure over £11.4 million of investment over the last five years from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund and Local Skills Improvement Fund to develop specialist facilities and training programmes in Cornwall specifically for the Construction sector.
Visitors, apprentices and students toured the new facilities, which include cutting-edge training spaces for renewable energy technologies, reinforcing the College’s commitment to a low-carbon future. The Construction Skills Hub project, backed by £4.06 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is a collaborative effort to address skills gaps in Cornwall’s construction industry. The Renewables Skills Centre will play a pivotal role in this initiative; ensuring learners and employers have access to the latest training in sustainable Construction.
Employers seeking to partner with the College should complete its Partnership Pledge to register interest and arrange a meeting with an Industry Engagement Consultant : www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/professional-development/pledge-form
Applications are still open for post-GCSE and Adult Learning courses for those wishing to experience the cutting-edge facilities from September 2025. Businesses or prospective learners who would like to know more about the provision offered by the Renewables Skills Centre should e-mail futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk or visit: www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
