Riverside College Launch New Green Skills Centre for Sustainable Energy Careers
On Friday 15th May 2026, Riverside College officially launched their brand-new Green Skills Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in the rapidly growing green energy sector.
The Green Skills Centre represents a major investment in the future of education, sustainability and skills development for the region, supporting net zero ambitions, while helping to address future workforce demands across the sector.
The facility will offer hands-on training in solar power, battery storage, EV charging and air source heat pumps, with training programmes carefully aligned to the Local Skills Improvement Plan, which will ensure students develop the skills needed in industry.
The College welcomed Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, and Derek Twigg, Member of Parliament for Widnes and Halewood, who cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Centre.
Guests included The Worshipful, The Mayor of Halton Councillor Martha Lloyd Jones and Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones, along with representatives from employer partners, local businesses and local high schools.
Principal Mary Murphy, OBE, delivered a welcome speech and discussed the opportunities the new learning facility will provide students. Steve Rotheram then took to the stage to share his support for the project and the possibilities it will provide for the Liverpool City Region.
Following talks and canapés prepared by the Centre of Excellence in Catering and Hospitality at Riverside, guests were taken on a tour of the new facilities where they met subject tutors, watched equipment demonstrations by students, and learned more about the innovative training opportunities the centre will provide.
College Principal Mary Murphy, OBE said, “The development of green skills is a key priority for the Liverpool City Region and Riverside College will play a vital role in helping train the technicians, engineers and specialists who will deliver that future.
“My thanks go to our architects 10architect, contractors Whitfield & Brown, to the College Management Team, our teachers, support staff and our college governors. Their commitment and determination have once again turned a shared vision into reality. Most importantly, they will bring this Centre to life every day through outstanding teaching, support and industry engagement.”
Andy James, Assistant Principal, commented, “It’s been incredible to open the Green Skills Centre here today, seeing all the different companies and employers fully engaged in the tours, speaking with our students and seeing the scope and scale of what this new facility can bring. This Centre will allow us to teach new skills that the region needs, all the skills that are needed for the 2030 net zero target for the UK. We are really excited for the future of the Green Skills Centre and the opportunities it will bring for our students and staff here at Riverside College.”
