Skills for Clean Growth for SMEs in West of England launches
See all news![Human hands holding the globe](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-clean-growth-760x300.jpg?la=en&h=300&w=760&mw=847&hash=E05C7C5DDD8F7DD1CAD0BE9D3D621018)
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West of England will be able to benefit from skills and workforce development to help them transition to a low carbon economy, thanks to the Skills for Clean Growth (SCG) programme, which launches in January 2022.
SCG is a free business support programme to help drive the region’s ambitions for clean and inclusive growth, as part of the Workforce for the Future programme and the objective of reaching net-zero by 2030. The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is leading the programme in collaboration with NatWest and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and running until May 2023, the programme offers a range of skills development, training and CPD, as well as the leadership skills needed to build a clean growth strategy and the knowledge and tools to achieve sustainability.
Professor Martin Boddy, who is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at UWE Bristol, said: “With funding from the European Social Fund awarded by the West of England Combined Authority and working with our delivery partners, NatWest, we will enable SMEs across the region attract, develop and retain the skilled workforce they need for the future. The project is focused on working towards a net-zero carbon, green future. Participants in the Skills for Clean Growth programme will learn about existing low-carbon practices and discover some of the ways they can best implement these in practical terms in their future activities.”
SMEs will be offered support to help evaluate their low carbon status and identify the skills required to plan and implement clean business practices and behaviours. Based on the results, they will receive an action plan and bespoke training options for their workforce, including workshops with academics and industry representatives.
To be eligible for support, applicants must have a presence in the West of England (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset) and be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “There is a climate emergency and everyone is going to have to do their bit to help build a greener future. As we change the way we make goods and retrofit our homes we will need a new skilled workforce. That is of course also a significant opportunity to create high-skilled, well-paid, green jobs. I’m pleased to be able to offer this support so workers will get the skills they need to meet the demands of a greener economy.”
The SCG programme will be accepting registrations from today. For more information, click here to access the Skills for Clean Growth website. If you would like to get in touch before registering your interest or have any questions, please email the team.
Alongside the SCG programme, SMEs can access other support from expert partners through the West of England Combined Authority Growth Hub.
Related news
![A sign with branding of the Future Space lab at UWE's Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/future-space-expansion-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EA4ACD0587C4C09E99C8DB97E1D4F4F4)
21 May 2024
Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands
UWE Bristol’s award-winning innovation centre, Future Space, has opened its doors to 10,000 square feet of brand-new office and laboratory facilities.
![A woman in a white coat fixes two pieces of metal together](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/skills-pathway410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=11F42508F6DE70F131BD88705947C43F)
18 January 2024
The new programme powering upskilling across the West of England
UWE Bristol have launched a new programme aimed at upskilling workers across the West of England, which aims make it easier to access the knowledge and expertise to boost their careers.
![Members of the judging panel for the UWE Bristol Entrepreneurial Futures Awards (from left to right, seated around a small table): Dr Paul Bennett, Peter Fane and Mark Mason.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/peter-fane-entrepreneurs-donation-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6C003659161233FA9BCF69C01D0D6E8B)
14 December 2023
'Wearable bodyguard' among ten new businesses by young entrepreneurs to receive funding boost
A business developing a ‘wearable bodyguard’ for safer solo journeys is among 10 growing businesses that have received a vital boost, thanks to funding donated by UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane.
![Professor Tom Mitchell](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tom-mitchell-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=2CAF15A0FCE461801695DCECB402BC16)
04 December 2023
Prestigious fellowship awarded to UWE Bristol academic to fund development of music technology
A UWE Bristol professor has been awarded a fellowship which will fund the development of a radically new approach to digital musical instrument design.
![Three people working on a laptop computer](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ex-offenders-enterprise-education-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=3C9E37C4020E04600F91A2E8E705575C)
15 August 2023
Former inmates to benefit from enterprise education course shown to reduce reoffending and boost employment
UWE Bristol has successfully secured funding from the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver enterprise education to previously incarcerated people.
![Incubation space at UWE Bristol](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/incubator-enterprise-zone-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=CB83D5178CD72763DADFD106AA087600)
16 May 2023
UWE Bristol expands support for start-ups with new incubation facilities
UWE Bristol has transformed its incubation space on campus, bringing together two technology incubators into one area.
![Solar panel generic image](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/green-skills-solar-panel-generic-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C22BEDE88AEC9D420CB1B744CEC73E6F)
20 April 2023
UWE Bristol's award-winning green skills programme returns for 2023
Applications are now open for the transformational Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship programme.
![Changemaker podcast graphic light green on dark green](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/changemaker-podcast-graphic-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8A1DA8976415632FF08B883256820E85)
25 January 2023
Changemaker podcast series shines a light on UWE Bristol's champions and catalysts for change
UWE Bristol’s new Changemaker podcast series talks to those tackling global challenges through outstanding learning, research and a culture of enterprise.
![A photograph of Peter Fane](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-donation-from-an-uwe-alum-peter-fane-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D6EF402FFDB09ED625678D69ECEBFF7)
13 December 2022
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane donates £250,000 to University over the next five years
UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane, Executive Chairman of the Nurture Landscape Group, donates £250,000 to University of the next five years.
![Head shots of Ana Lopes, Professor Susan Durbin and Stella Warren.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/durben-warren-lopes-esrc-2022-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=5EE6463FA461D279965F6185961652D4)
03 November 2022
UWE Bristol team wins Impact prize for work on empowering women in aviation
Professor Susan Durbin and her team have won the ESRC 2022 Celebrating Impact Prize for research into women in the UK aviation and aerospace industry.
![Carol Vorderman, Julian Bellamy and Grant Mansfield as panel members on stage.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/bristol-bath-screen-summit-2022-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F7E2196A9679C30F24141C48B25C9532)
03 November 2022
Success for inaugural Bristol and Bath Screen Summit
Showcasing Bristol's city-region as a leading production community, the summit focuses on ways to nurture creative talent and support innovation and diversity.
![A photograph of Dr Jonny Keeling](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-dr-jonny-keeling-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=B19BBB7DA346467AE08C2B13712E6886)
25 October 2022
BBC Natural History Unit's Dr Jonny Keeling appointed Visiting Professor at UWE Bristol
Dr Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU), has been appointed a Visiting Professor for the College of Arts, Technology and Environment at the UWE Bristol.