Monday 7 March 2011

Scotland to launch green-tech academies

A series of 'green academies' are to be set up across Scotland to train engineers to install energy-saving technology.

The academies will be run by Scottish Gas and will create 77 new jobs and apprenticeships, with links to local college courses will help recruit trainees.

Training will be given in the installation of insulation, air source heat pumps and energy-efficient boilers, as well as solar panels and heating systems using microgeneration technologies.

Scotland's Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Green academies will provide people with the right skills to work in the rapidly expanding eco sector.

"This offers opportunities for a whole new generation of young people - a green army for Scotland helping to support a sustainable, modern, low-carbon economy for Scotland."

He added that the initiative was "crucial to our growth strategy for Scotland. It will provide more skilled workers to help establish an environment that is attractive to growth companies. And it will help to build up green technologies - a key growth sector of the Scottish economy."

Betsy Bassis, managing director of Scottish Gas Community Energy, said: "Our academy is designed to give our engineers the skills they need to increase the take up of renewables technologies across the country."