Aston Group, a leading building services and facilities management company, has recently announced plans to further expand its partnership with Waltham Forest College co-designing and developing green skills to meet the growing demand for highly skilled workers to support the low carbon and green skills climate agenda. 

The Mayor of London’s Green New Deal aims to tackle the climate emergency by doubling the size of London’s green economy by 2030.  The new programme for electrical vehicle (EV) charger installation courses will support the green economy and help provide vital skills needed to support recovery and growth of the economy.

In line with the UK's economic recovery plan, the partnership expansion will now see an increase in industry experience for students, the co-development of new courses designed to retrain and upskill and climate-conscious measures to positively impact the local community and environment.

The successful partnership, which has been developing over the past two years, is a perfect example of how employers and colleges work together to provide a great learning experience for students while fulfilling business and sector requirements.

Epping Forest Guardian:

As part of the ongoing partnership, Aston Group has made a series of equipment donations to Waltham Forest College, delivered insight days, as well as supporting apprenticeship opportunities for learners.

Alan Thomas, Managing Director at Aston Group said: “Aston Group is proud to continue our collaboration with Waltham Forest College, reinforcing our commitment to provide opportunities that bring young skilled people into our industry as we move to a low carbon future.”

The collaboration is now set to expand further with the launch of a 2-day electric vehicle (EV) charger installation course. The eco-friendly course has been designed to upskill those already working in the Electrical Industry and provide increased skills for those starting. It will also help to fill upcoming skills shortages as the Government bans the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, paving the way for zero-emission electric vehicles.

Craig Buist, Head of Curriculum for Automotive, Construction, Electrical and Engineering said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Aston Group to deliver the EV charger installation course to enable Aston Group’s engineers to install chargers across London.  We are conducting further training with several other engineers to help support their company strategy as well as the green agenda within Waltham Forest and across London.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

To celebrate the launch of the EV charger installation course, Aston Group has donated EV chargers and kits to the College and will be offering students the chance to experience installing them within Waltham Forest.

Alongside the EV charger installation course, Waltham Forest College is working with Aston Group to develop a Sector Based Work Academy. This will help support unemployed Waltham Forest residents with short work experience training programmes that will focus on energy efficiency with employability skills, supporting the economic recovery of the region.

Waltham Forest College and Aston Group look forward to further collaboration in the future and the expansion of eco-friendly training, skills and courses, leading the way in innovation, supporting the needs of employers and the local economy.