Fostering a sustainable workforce
Sustainability principles are embedded into all courses, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges in their chosen career paths. This approach ensures that sustainability becomes ingrained in the mindset of future professionals, fostering a sustainable workforce for the future.
Furthermore, sustainable practices are implemented across campus operations, from net-zero carbon buildings to waste reduction initiatives.
Major infrastructure upgrades
Following ongoing work, the Bedford College’s town centre campus now saves over 350 tonnes of carbon following major infrastructure upgrades, equivalent to driving 253 passenger vehicles for one year. Alongside this, £2.8 million of grant funding was secured from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), delivered by Salix Finance via the Department for Business, Energy, and Industry Strategy (BEIS). The grant was used to install a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP), Genius Controls, highly efficient Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery, hot water-efficient taps, photovoltaic (PV) panels, roof insulation, and water heaters.
In addition, the Connolly Centre for Modern Methods of Construction opened in 2023 at the Bedford College campus. This specialist centre is expected to receive an official A+ on its energy performance certificate and will be the Group’s first net-zero carbon building.
