The Sheffield College has been highly commended in this year’s prestigious Green Gown Awards for its efforts to educate students about the environment.
The Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland are held in association with UK Research and Innovation.
Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise outstanding and exceptional sustainability initiatives in the post-16 education sector.
This year, 133 projects from 83 institutions were shortlisted with 22 winners and 23 highly commended awards announced this month.
The college was highly commended in the Tomorrow’s Employees category for a project encouraging young people to find solutions to real world problems.
Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “We are thrilled to be highly commended in the Green Gown Awards. Educating students about climate change, as part of our sustainability strategy, and involving them in creative solutions is of paramount importance.”
Students were briefed to create a social action and social media campaign based on local climate issues such as air pollution, food sustainability and waste management.
The choice of topics included renewable energy for cars, the reduction in single use plastics and air source heat pumps for homes. A Level, construction, engineering and motor vehicle students took part in the Green Gen: Sparking Sustainability initiative.
The employer backed project was organised with the Leeds-based charity IVE and funded by the National Citizenship Service. Arup, Equans, Tesla, Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield provided informative sessions on heat pumps, electric vehicle charging and hydrogen cars.
Students pitched their ideas to experts and developed their communication, critical thinking, presentation, problem solving and team working skills.
Natalie Dodds, Academy Director for Building Technologies, The Sheffield College, added: “This project has developed our students’ environmental awareness and employability skills and it is great to receive recognition for that.”
Charlotte Bonner, Chief Executive, Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges, which oversees the awards, added: “This year’s outstanding winners and highly commended entries for the Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland once again provide an inspiring and diverse array of initiatives, from impactful projects to passionate individuals, all dedicated to advancing sustainability. Congratulations to all our winners, highly commended entrants and finalists.”
The awards ceremony took place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 13th November 2024.
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Pictured: The Sheffield College staff and hosts at the Green Gown Awards. Photo credit: EAUC.
