Transition Derby

Visit to Bedford Sustainability Centre BSC

Bedford College

February 10^th 2010

This visit had been arranged by Pam Stanley to see what we could learn for the Derby Carbon Institute. Four of us went down by train – Andrea Ragdale-Blurton, Lisa Saunders, Pam Stanley and I - and even before we had arrived the trip was worthwhile with the ideas and discussions we had on the train.

Dr Esin Esat, Director of Sustainability welcomed us and took us through a very detailed presentation of BSC’s history. She explained that she had come to Bedford in 2003 to develop Solar PV technology and was soon involved in Buildings and Construction, which then included Sustainability.

First of all Dr Esin explained that Bedford College, located in the centre of Bedford, is an FE college offering vocational skills training up to Foundation Degrees, has 700 staff and 13,000 students and 8 centres turning over £30 million.

Key drivers to BSC’s success have been:

• Carbon Reduction Commitment CRC as companies were now beginning to watch this tax as there was no repayment from the Government
• Big difference between demand and supply for Carbon Skills
• Ofsted, which now involves Sustainability
• Demand for high level Low Carbon Skills
• Increased installation of Solar PV for FITS
• Renewable Heat incentives
• Gearing up for the Green Deal

 At the start Dr Esin engaged with every discipline and always targeted keen people to get things moving. She has been extremely good at tendering for grants from ERDF and ESF and Government money had had built up since 2005 a considerable amount of resources and team that had allowed BSC to win some coveted Green Gown Awards for their work .

It was decided that they needed to have a “communication tool” and so BSC started off with designing “Greeny” , who as an invader from outer space and was not at all happy with what the earthlings were doing to their planet. Initially simple things were targeted like:

• do not overfill kettles
• use a minimum of paper
• Turn off lights, computers and screens

This resulted in an initial savings of 2,775 tons of carbon in the first year and to help this there was a “Greeny” quiz for students and staff, with prizes for the winners.

Stage 1

• Solar PV development started it all off in 2003 followed by an increase in interest in Renewables and embedded Sustainability
• Presented her plan to the Executive, which was accepted and then to the Curriculum Team in 2004
• Obtained 50% funding for the development of the Solar PV project
• During this time interest waxed and waned but was always had an upward trend

 Stage 2

• Gained Energy CoVE status in 2005
• Environmental strategy then became the sustainability Policy for the College
• More events were held – Low Carbon events, Sustainability Days
• Climate Change Day involving students, Community, Climate Change Groups, Fashion, Food, Gas Industry, Solar Ovens, Recycled furniture and local schools
• Have had a “Let’s Tidy Bedford” event
• Additional Qualifications were added to the curriculum linked to Low Carbon, the Environment and Sustainability

 Stage 3

• Won their first Green Gown awards in the face of stiff competition from Universities ion 2008
• The Principal became more involved
• Dr Esin became Director of Sustainability on 2008
• More Staff awareness course were run
• Dedicated tutorials were provided for students and staff
• Staff objectives included Sustainability outcomes
• Initiated an Environmental Resource Academy

Recent news…

• Won Green Gown Award in 2009 and 2010
• “Big Environmental Picture” is now included in all staff induction – very important
• Won £4.2 million of ERDF for South East England project funding to clad their Sustainability Departmental building
• Increased the number of industrial partnerships, locally and regionally
• Mini Environmental Sustainable Departmental inspections are carried out in areas in Bedford College
• Created links with Germany
• Promoting different projects nationally – Stepping Up in Sustainability and Leaders of the Future in Birmingham
• Applying for European Social Funding for £650,000 for Low Carbon Skills training for South East England

Dr Eosin’s “Essential Messages”

• Must have commitment right at the top
• Crucial to obtain Staff “buy-in”
• Other people must be willing to invest their time and effort

 Visit to Kempston Plumbing Training Centre KPTC

Before we went to the KPTC, situated on a large industrial estate some four miles from Bedford College main campus, we had lunch with the Vice Principal David Pridmore This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , who energetically supported all of what Dr Esin was doing.

At Kempston, the skills training involves Vocational Courses in Construction – NVQ and City & Guilds - in Plumbing and fitting of Solar PV plus Greywater, Ground Source Heat pumps, Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Heating. They also provide training in standard plumbing techniques for bathrooms, etc.

Future collaboration with BSC will be good for both DCI – Agriculture, Cooking, Transport - and BSC – Ground Source Heat Pumps and Air Heat Pumps and tendering - as each can bring different strengths to the table.