Barnsley College TLC Sustainable Centre

The Barnsley College Think Low Carbon (TLC) Sustainable Centre aims to create an internationally recognised centre of excellence in low carbon innovation. The project will facilitate research, development and skills for environmental technologies, enabling businesses to exploit emerging markets in this sector.

This project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £2.75 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007-2013. The remainder of the project is being funded by the College.

Vision

The Centre

The Barnsley College TLC Sustainable Centre will consist of two open plan practical workshops and four multi-functional rooms that can be used for open days, seminars, advice and guidance or research.

The Centre will provide a demonstration area for local planners, architects and builders to explore new products, services and materials. It will enable people to experience the importance of new technologies and their relevance to the future job market. It will also offer workforces the opportunity to gain knowledge of fitting and maintenance to help homeowners and businesses to reduce their energy consumption.

Demonstrator Houses

The College aims to build demonstrator houses that will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs), manufacturers, developers and research institutes to test the latest developments within the industry. The style of houses will reflect the current housing stock in the region, enabling individuals to develop their skills in real buildings.

Growing Green

In 2009, the global market for low carbon goods and services was estimated to be £3 trillion and is projected to grow to more than £4.3 trillion by 2015. Around 800,000 people in the UK are employed in the green sector, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

Green technologies will be needed by the construction sector to ensure that new and existing buildings meet challenging carbon reduction targets to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings set by the Climate Change Act (2008), the Code for Sustainable Homes, Building Regulations and other environmental legislation.

As a result there is an increasing demand for knowledge and skills across the country, particularly in the construction industry, which is being driven by:

• the necessity to improve energy efficiency within the workplace
• the necessity to find alternative energy sources
• limited knowledge of embryonic environmental technologies, their
  uses and installation
• limited awareness of new legislative requirements in relation to new build
  and existing properties

which has an impact on employers, landlords, homeowners and the construction industry

Opportunities

Developing environmental technology is one of five priority sectors identified by Yorkshire Forward as key to the economic growth and development of the region. Renewable energy is another key sector requiring support in the region; Yorkshire and Humberside is currently meeting less than 25% of their renewable energy target and is one of the highest generators of C02 emissions in the UK.

Alongside this, the construction sector consists mainly of SMEs who need ongoing support to up-skill in order to compete in emerging markets. By providing a knowledge transfer hub, the TLC Sustainable Centre will address these issues and generate new business and work opportunities in not only the town and region but also throughout the country and beyond.

Barnsley College will continue to support traditional building techniques. There is a large stock of old, thermally inefficient buildings in the region, and by expanding current provision, Barnsley College alongside their partners hope to bring business to the town and provide a centre of excellence for the construction industry.