News | Friday, 15th January 2021
New free course aims to develop the clean energy workforce of the future
Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre launch online course to develop skills around green energy
A new free course from Manchester Metropolitan University aims to support those who are considering working in the clean energy sector by giving them a better understanding of green growth and equipping them with new skills.
The Challenge of Clean Growth and Cleaner Cities will cover key principles of sustainable industrial development, different approaches to decarbonisation of cities and the challenges faced by councils, strategists and researchers.
The two-week course, launching on Monday 18 January, can be accessed online at any time of the day, so participants can learn at their own pace and around other commitments.
Running the course is Manchester Metropolitan University’s Fuel Cell Innovation Centre – a £4 million facility dedicated to developing green energy using hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Amer Gaffar, Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC), said: “This new, innovative course aims to provide a solid understanding of the work currently being done to decarbonise both the region and the UK, and improve air quality.
“Those taking part will be given the opportunity to not only gain a further understanding of the challenges we face in this area, but also to develop their own skills and ideas to help regions like Manchester achieve the targets they have set.
“There are a range of current targets in which we are working to meet. Manchester aims to be net zero by 2038 and many other cities around the country by 2050.
“We aim to meet this target using a range of solutions including the use hydrogen and the large-scale deployment of fuel cell technology.
“That said, it is widely accepted that there is no single solution to the challenge.”
The launch of the new course also aims to support plans for Greater Manchester to build back better following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by training the future clean energy workforce – the very people who will be helping authorities reach net zero targets.
Plans within the city highlight a need to come back from the pandemic greener, with emphasis on the environment and air quality. The development of clean energy skills for people in the region will help to achieve this.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The ultimate goal of our recovery strategy will be to ensure Greater Manchester is able to develop and exploit opportunities to build back better with a sustainable, fairer, greener and more successful economy and society than before the pandemic.”
The course will cover everything from the Manchester Environment Plan to the Future Green Skills Economy. Students will also learn about the impacts of current and ongoing research into renewable energy, including how the MFCIC is working on developing a route to carbon zero.
They will also look at ways in which Industry 4.0 is helping accelerate clean growth and the potential for a sustainable industrial development plan, with the overall aim to give those interested in making a difference, the tools and knowledge to do so.
To sign up to the course or find out more, go to: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/clean-growth-and-cleaner-cities
