Green Skills & Decarbonisation

The Colleges West Midlands (CWM) Green Skills & Sustainability Group will continue to strengthen collaboration across member colleges to develop the regional green technical skills offer and meet current and future employer demand.

Building on the CWM Green Skills Roadmap, the group will focus on coordinating curriculum development, supporting staff development and promoting green skills training opportunities to employers and residents across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

Key Priorities for 2026/27:

• Developing green skills in manufacturing: Work with Manufacturing TEC and regional employers to better understand future skills needs and inform curriculum planning.

• Supporting staff development: Build on existing staff networks, expand continuing professional development opportunities and further develop the Tutor Hub and shared teaching resources.

• Updating the Green Skills Roadmap: Review progress to date, update the roadmap and use regional data to identify gaps in provision and inform future curriculum planning.

• Strengthening employer engagement: Work with Skills West Midlands & Warwickshire (SkillsWMW) to promote green training opportunities, develop the employer-facing green skills prospectus and explore opportunities to support green leadership skills.

• Promoting sustainability: Encourage green custodianship among students across all subject areas, helping to embed sustainable practices and improve workplace readiness.

The group will work with partners including the West Midlands Combined Authority, local authorities, employers and other regional stakeholders to coordinate provision, explore funding opportunities and support the development of green technical skills programmes.

Through collaborative planning, shared resources and improved employer engagement, CWM aims to increase participation in green skills training, better prepare college staff to deliver emerging provision and support a more sustainable regional economy.