Carbon Zero Launch

Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, joined members of all six Northern Ireland FE colleges, invited speakers and guests to officially launch the Carbon Zero NI programme at South West College in Dungannon on Monday, March 29th.      

Speaking at the Carbon Zero NI Launch, Sir Reg said the programme will power Northern Ireland’s bid to become a leader in the clean energy market. Carbon Zero NI Programme Director Tom Mayers said the new programme will deliver hundreds of courses specially designed to help businesses adapt to the emerging green economy and train students to tap into new green collar jobs: “It’s widely recognised that future economic growth lies in the development of sustainable, clean technologies that benefit the environment and support job creation. Carbon Zero NI allows FE colleges to take the lead in helping to equip students and businesses with the expertise and skills to rofit from the green economy.”     

South West College Director, Malachy McAleer, said:     

“Colleges in Northern Ireland are working hard to assist the development of sustainable technologies and skills. By pooling expertise and experience from all the colleges across the province, Carbon Zero NI will ensure everyone has access to the best training and facilities.”     

Mr Joe Martin, Chairman of South West College Governing Body, Dr Lorna Lawrence, Research Lecturer – Energy from Waste, Jim Lamb from the America-Ireland Institute,     

Clifford McSpadden from the Global Wind Alliance, Martin Sterum from Camphill Communities also spoke to more than 100 delegates attending the event.     

These included key representatives from Belfast City Council, Cookstown, Dungannon, Omagh and Fermanagh District Councils, MLAs including Billy Armstrong MLA and Ian McCrea MLA. Several major companies were represented including Moy Park, Fivemiletown Creamery, Limavady Gear Company and O’Hare & McGovern.