Environmental engineers from as far away as Scotland and Plymouth, who are involved in the installation of renewable technology, travelled all the way to Chesham last month to take advantage of the unique training and facilities provided by Amersham & Wycombe College’s Environmental Centre.

Emphasising the wide-ranging appeal of the courses offered, Greg Mimms and Chris Lancaster, two employees of MITIE, the strategic outsourcing and asset management company, completed one of the College’s five-day solar photovoltaic training courses. “The course is excellent and the only one we were able to find in southern England that provides the training at the time we wanted,” says Chris. The course culminates in a City & Guilds 2372 certificate which confirms individuals capable of domestic solar photovoltaic system installation of up to 16 Amperes.

Launched two years ago, and considered ahead of its time at inception, the Environmental Centre not only offers solar photovoltaic training for installers, but courses relating to unvented hot water systems, rainwater harvesting, ground source heat pump and wind turbine installation. Additionally, the College runs integrated renewable technologies and BPEC water regulations courses.

“We are unique in the area,” says Environmental Centre lecturer Eric Took. “Just a few centres around the country offer what we do, and very few have one, let alone two, fully operational 1.3kw photovoltaic systems for students to interact with.”

Practicing what it preaches, in addition to the solar photovoltaic systems, the Environmental Centre boasts a fully operational rain water harvesting system and ground source heat pump.

In October of this year the government's Climate Change Committee called for the complete de-carbonisation of energy generation by 2030 – the elimination of fossil fuels from energy generation. More immediately, domestic heating systems will include some form of renewable energy generation in the not too distant future. Amersham & Wycombe College’s Environmental Centre is playing an important role in helping to educate and train towards this switchover.

For further information about the complete range of environmental courses offered by Amersham & Wycombe College, call 0800 614016.