February 2024

Last week saw the first meeting between Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) and the Dorset and Somerset Training Providers Network (DSTPN), as they launched their new and exciting Green Curriculum Project. The Project, underwritten by the government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, brings together training providers and businesses from across Dorset and Somerset in a bid to explore ways in which green initiatives can be integrated into providers’ everyday training provision.

In order to succeed, training providers must first understand the ethos and ambitions of local employers, also bearing in mind how green initiatives within the training environment might contribute to local, regional and national environmental agendas – whether via the introduction of clean fuels into their agriculture curricula or monitoring power usage within their Creative Arts’ studios. Equally important is to ensure students have the information they need to make informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of their chosen fields and the part they can play in creating innovative and effective mitigations.

This inaugural meeting at Monks Yard, in Ilminster, saw BTC and DSTPN joined by representatives from Yeovil College, Kingston Maurward College, Weymouth College, Somerset Skills and Learning, Somerset County Council and EDF, with lively debate and highly positive contributions from all participants setting the scene for beneficial and productive collaboration in the future.

The group looks forward to building on these early foundations at its next meeting in March.

July 2024

Our collaboration with Dorset and Somerset Training Providers Network (DSTPN) on the Green Curriculum project has gained some exciting momentum and expansion. We have had overwhelming support for our vision from employers like EDF, organisations like the Ministry of Eco Education and the local authority, Somerset Council. The input from all members, as well as research in to green curriculums in other parts of the country and global efforts helped us shape our vision for skills in this area. We have taken inspiration from UNESCO’s work as well as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) outlined by the UN to succinctly identify what is a priority for our local area.

Through this extensive collaboration we realised a shared goal and ambition, so we joined forces. The Green Curriculum project is now supporting the Somerset Council project Sustainable Futures and these two projects are complimenting one another.

We continue to work closely with all partners and the dedicated team at Somerset Council and are excited by the prospect to have this initiative rolled out county wide. With DSTPN spearheading this project it will cross boundaries and inspire delivery at all educational levels across Dorset also.