Powering the Future: How we are Building the Next Generation of Green Innovators

There’s a quiet revolution taking shape in the heart of Wigan. Amid the hum of construction and the promise of progress, the finishing touches are being made to the college’s new Powerhouse: Future Energy Zone – Sustainable Technologies Space.

And with Wigan & Leigh College now officially recognised as the North West Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC), that future feels closer than ever. For young people looking to build a meaningful career and for those already in the trade, the opportunities are set to grow dramatically.

The Skills Revolution for a Green Economy

Just last month, the government published its first ever national plan to recruit workers needed to deliver the UK’s clean energy mission with the number of clean energy jobs expected to double by 2030.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy, a generation of young people in our industrial heartlands can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.”

It’s a vision that resonates strongly in the North West; a region built on industry, resilience, and reinvention. The CTEC embodies that spirit, positioning itself as a bridge between traditional trades and the sustainable technologies that will define the next century.

Green Skills, Real Jobs

In the Powerhouse, students won’t just be learning about theory, they’ll be getting hands-on experience with the technologies transforming our energy systems: air source heat pumps, solar arrays, and even small-scale wind systems.

These are not niche skills anymore; they’re the foundations of the modern energy economy. Heat pump engineers, for example, install and service zero-carbon central heating systems and can expect to earn between £24,000 and £46,000 a year, depending on experience (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/). Solar panel installers can earn similar salaries, and their services are only becoming more essential as the UK accelerates its renewable energy rollout.

Students can enter these growing fields through courses like Electrical Installation, T Levels in Building Services – Engineering for Construction, or apprenticeships that combine learning with hands-on industry experience.

A Regional Partnership with National Impact

Anna Dawe, Principal and CEO at Wigan & Leigh College, sees collaboration as the cornerstone of success:

“The North West CTEC is a genuine partnership built on shared goals. By pooling our strengths and resources, we can create more opportunities for learners and employers, respond to industry needs faster, and ensure the region remains at the forefront of construction innovation and skills.”

That approach of combining education, industry, and innovation is what makes the CTEC model so powerful. It’s not just about training people for jobs that exist today but anticipating the needs of tomorrow.

The Powerhouse of Progress

As the Powerhouse prepares to open its doors, it represents more than a new facility. It stands as a symbol of confidence in local talent, green growth, and in a generation ready to tackle the climate challenge with skill and ambition. For young people standing on the edge of their careers, the message is clear: there’s never been a better time to learn, to build, and to power the future.