A bold new partnership has secured half a million pounds of investment to create a new green skills hub for Brent.
The Green Skills Centre will be delivered by the United Colleges Group at the College of North West London in partnership with Brent Council and other key stakeholders.
Scheduled to open in mid-April 2022, the hub will offer a range of green skills courses for students in the local area and from across the city.
As green skills and technology become increasingly important, the new hub will place Brent at the centre of London’s efforts to become a cleaner, greener, and more efficient city fit for the future.
The hub has been made possible thanks to a successful bid for half a million pounds of funding from the Mayor’s Academies Hubs programme.
The Mayor’s Academies Programme awards grants with the aim of helping Londoners bounce back from the effects of the pandemic and promoting sustainable employment in priority sectors.
The courses available at the new hub will focus on the green agenda and a wide range of construction and engineering subjects.
Students will be able to learn about air source heat pumps, electrical vehicle charging, internal and external wall insulation, and a variety of other important technologies.
The exciting and forward-thinking new hub will enable educators, employers, and other organisations to work in partnership to develop a programme that promotes employability, learning, and skills.
Once it opens to students, it will also play an essential role in the United Colleges Group’s key 2024 strategic aim of being widely recognised for delivering world-class education and skills.
Green skills, and the learning and teaching that underpin them, are fundamental to the United Colleges Group’s vision for the future and the group is proud to be working alongside its partners to create this exciting new opportunity for the local community.
Stephen Davis, Group Principal and CEO of the United Colleges Group, said:
“Green skills are an essential part of modern learning, and the United Colleges Group is proud to put them front-and-centre in our offering.
“Our new Green Skills Centre will play a key role in helping us achieve our aim of making sure that Brent is a place that students can learn these vital skills and prepare for their futures.
“I would like to thank all of our partners for making this possible and I look forward to continuing to work with them into the future.”
Assistant Principal Curriculum Delivery & Enhancement
Construction, Engineering & the Built Environment, Vito Martino, said:
“Green skills and technology will only become more vital as we move forward and Brent needs to be at the centre of this push.
“Our green skills hub will offer a range of qualifications and courses that will equip students with the skills, experience, and knowledge they need to be competitive in these increasingly exciting fields.
“I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved in making this project possible.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
