Financial support offered for Derbyshire residents to retrain for alternative energy sector
A unique opportunity to retrain in the field of alternative energy has opened up in Chesterfield and Derbyshire with the launch of the County Council’s Green Entrepreneurs Scholarship Scheme.
The local authority has set aside a £100,000 fund offering grants of up to £1,500 to help Derbyshire residents learn new skills in the alternative energy industry.
It’s part of the wider Green Entrepreneurs Programme which is funded by the council and run in partnership with the University of Derby to help support green economic recovery across Derbyshire.
The leader of Derbyshire County Council, Barry Lewis added: “We’ve had a positive response to the Green Entrepreneurs Fund so far from businesses looking for financial support to help turn game changing proposals to help tackle climate change into reality.
“As well as helping to reduce Derbyshire’s carbon emissions in the future, by helping these projects get off the ground we’re bringing wider benefits to local communities and local economic conditions to create high quality jobs driven by utilising the local skills base in engineering and manufacturing.
“We’re looking forward to announcing the successful applicants soon for funding announced so far, as well as opening up applications for our new Scholarship Fund which will help to skill-up the alternative energy workforce of tomorrow.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “It is vital that we all play our part in helping the UK to achieve its net zero targets and the appetite within Derbyshire to meet this challenge head-on is hugely encouraging.
“It is not just about providing financial support, however, but enabling people to develop their skillset to deliver the change we need.
“As a university, empowering people with the knowledge and ability to have a positive impact on our economy and society is central to our purpose. We therefore welcome the launch of the Scholarship Scheme, which will help employees within our SME sector to make important contributions to carbon reduction and equip them with highly-valued skills.”
Find out more information about the Green Entrepreneurs Programme including application forms, timetable for grant funding and eligibility criteria at: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/business/green-entrepreneurs-fund/green-entrepreneurs-fund.aspx
