Oxford businesses, organisations, and residents are being encouraged to apply for a free space on a green skills course, as part of an initiative to support the city on its journey to net zero.

Oxford City Council has been awarded £60,000 from the government to offer businesses and residents 60 fully funded places on green skills training opportunities in Oxford.

The funding has been provided by the Green Skills Fund, and supports a range of different courses, from introductions to electric-cargo bikes, to heat pumps, and more.

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Anna Railton, deputy leader and cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford, said: "These free green skills courses and qualifications will benefit local businesses and improve the skills of Oxford residents.

"We will need people with the right skills to support the transition to a net zero city by 2040. If you think that you or your business might benefit from one of the courses, then please get in touch.” 

Green skills are often associated with sectors that will play a large role in reaching net zero, such as power, home heating, waste and resources.

Supporting employers and employees to access training aims to help to address green skills shortages, create new pathways to employment and support the local economy. 

The council is working with local training providers including Oxford Energy Academy, Abingdon & Witney College, and Activate Learning to offer green skills courses and qualifications.  

The courses that are available includes: 
•    Domestic electric vehicle installers and maintenance course   
•    HERS non-domestic electric vehicle infrastructure    
•    Heat Pump installation and maintenance    
•    Introductions to and how to use electric cargo bikes    
•    Measurement and Verification training  
•    Airtightness and weather sealing   
•    Understanding domestic retrofit     
•    Domestic retrofit advice     
•    Energy Efficiency     
•    Carbon Literacy

Green Skills courses will be open to individuals who live or work in the city and to organisations and companies based in or operating in Oxford.

However, some courses will require additional qualifications based on course eligibility criteria.

More information on the green skills fund can be found on the dedicated webpage or by emailing Greenskills@oxford.gov.uk 

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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