SERC Finalist in Beacon Awards for Sustainability Programme

SERC is proud to be named a finalist in the prestigious Association of Colleges Beacon Awards 2025/26, which celebrate excellence and innovation across UK colleges.

SERC’s Sustainable Futures programme is a finalist in The Sustainable Energy First Award for Education for Sustainable Development category.

Established over five years ago, Sustainable Futures promotes green skills and sustainability initiatives in the college, community and industry. The goal is to create a more environmentally friendly future by equipping students with knowledge for the growing green economy.

Recognising the UK’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, SERC has embedded cutting-edge technologies and practices into its curriculum. This commitment led to the creation of pioneering Level 5 OCN NI qualifications in Retrofit Coordination and Green Technology—launched in January 2024. These courses, the first of their kind in the UK, are supported by a dedicated retrofit training facility at the Holywood Campus, equipped with advanced tools for insulation measurement, solar PV and thermal systems, heat pumps, and EV charging installations.

The programme also extends its impact into communities through the Level 2 Reducing Carbon Footprint Through Environmental Action course. Participants gain practical knowledge to champion sustainability locally and in their lives, resulting in initiatives such as a biodiversity garden and other community projects such as disseminating information on carbon literacy.

Sustainability is integrated into project-based learning across all curriculum areas. Recent projects include clothing refashioning, sustainable food enterprises, and the launch of Truffle —a vintage retail outlet created as part of the work experience program for students in SERC’s Foundation Skills Academy.

SERC’s commitment to sustainability, evident in its upgraded facilities, incorporates energy-efficient lighting, insulation, and heat pumps in campuses, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar panels. The college has also developed a Carbon Literacy training programme for staff - to help those responsible for educating others have a solid understanding of carbon footprints and environmental issues.

Sustainable Futures was Commended by Beacon earlier this month alongside SERC’s Business Support team for their engagement with employers.

Winners will be announced in Spring 2026.