02 May 2012

SERC Rewarded For Their Sustainable Activities

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has triumphed at the prestigious Action Renewables Association Awards and has been named ‘Best Training Provider’ for their Environmental Skills Centre.

Now in their fourth year, the awards recognise excellence and reward innovation by local companies who are leading the way with renewable energy technologies and sustainability and awareness raising initiatives.

The award was presented to John Nixon Head of Construction and Engineering Services at SERC, during a ceremony at the Titanic Belfast attraction on Tuesday 20th March at Titanic Belfast.

On receiving the award John Nixon Head of Construction and Engineering Services at SERC said: "We are extremely proud to have received this award. SERC is driven to provide information, skills and encouragement to others who are keen to increase their expertise to meet current and future needs.

"The College provides specialist training and support from information seminars and short courses for practitioners and interested individuals to skill-focused training providing vocational and professional qualifications."

John goes on to explain that by reskilling and upskilling individuals through the Environmental Skills Centre, SERC is fast becoming a hub for sustainable development and renewable technology.

SERC's Environmental Skills Centre is based on the Colleges refurbished and extended Newtownards campus and was opened in October 2010 delivering both upskilling and reskilling to boost the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Thanks to a £3.7 million renovation and extension project, SERC developed the Environmental Skills Centre to demonstrate the application and benefits of environmental technologies, including biomass boiler, PV panels, low energy sensory lighting, and energy efficient heat-reflecting double glazed windows.

As a result the building offers users improved comfort, reduction in solar gain, reduced energy demand, increased insulation, high-performance glazing, and a striking new identity and annual carbon savings.

SERC's achievements have been recognised through several awards in 2011 including the prestigious Green Gown Skills Award for exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and two Sustainable Ireland Awards – Leadership in Sustainable Development and also the Sustainable Building Project of the Year.