Inspire Education Group, Quantum Group and Kensa Power Green Skills Pipeline at Centre for Green Technology

Peterborough College, part of Inspire Education Group (IEG), is proud to celebrate its partnership with Quantum Group and Kensa, two of the UK’s leading sustainable technology providers, as part of its mission to deliver cutting-edge green skills education at the newly launched £13.5 million Centre for Green Technology (CGT) at Peterborough College.

The collaboration has seen Quantum and Kensa supply and install state-of-the-art heat pumps and renewable energy training bays within the CGT. These real-world setups provide hands-on experience for full-time learners, adult retrainers, and apprentices seeking to build careers in the low-carbon economy.

As part of this landmark project, Quantum Training installed specialised training bays within the centre, including two Ground Source Heat Pump Training Bays, two Solar
Thermal Training Bays and two Electrical Ecosystem Training Bays. The dedicated
ground source heat pump training bays feature Kensa’s British-made heat pumps and provide students with hands-on experience of real-world, industry-standard technology
that’s already found in thousands of UK homes.

Baroness Sharon Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, said:

“I was impressed by the breadth of opportunities and courses that are offered by the Centre, and it was fascinating to see how new technologies will drive the construction and development of the homes this country needs. The development of new skills to help build green, safer buildings is at the heart of this government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes, and students from this college will help contribute to this.”

Maria Gonella, Managing Partner at Quantum Training, said:

“This collaboration is a perfect example of how industry and education can come together to tackle the green skills gap. As a decarbonization business and renewables training provider, we know firsthand the challenges of finding competent installers, particularly among young people. That’s why we’ve designed our training equipment and courses to reflect real-world conditions, giving students the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the growing green economy.”

David Billingsley, Sales Director at Kensa, said:

“Equipping the next generation with the right skills is vital to ensuring the transition to renewable heating succeeds for businesses, homeowners, and the country. Through Quantum’s training bays, including the one at Peterborough College and many others nationwide, we’re helping ensure students can install ground source systems effectively and are ready to meet the growing demand for cleaner, more efficient heating.”

Peterborough College’s Centre for Green Technology also features solar panels,
rainwater harvesting, and immersive technologies such as a virtual reality wall. It also
supports training in electric vehicle infrastructure, solar PV, air source heat pumps,
retrofit and sustainable construction, reflecting the growing demand for green skills, with over 440,000 green jobs projected by 2030.

Quantum Training’s installation of the full suite of training bays, combined with Kensa’s provision of ground source heat pump systems, exemplifies the power of industry
collaboration to deliver practical, hands-on education that aligns with employer needs
and the UK’s sustainability goals.

The £13.5 million project is partly funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), with £2.471 million from the Transforming Cities Fund, £400,000 from the Local Growth Fund, £1.9 million from Peterborough City Council via the Towns Fund, and the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (£1.42 million). IEG’s contribution to the project was £8.3M, with £5.5M from the DFE capital loan scheme and £2.8M from IEG’s capital reserves.