Colleges shortlisted for Green Gowns

Nine further education providers in England have been shortlisted in a national competition that recognises colleges’ and universities’ sustainable development initiatives.

The providers have been shortlisted for the Green Gown awards, which celebrate exceptional sustainability projects undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK. Four of them, Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, South Thames College, Walsall Adult and Community College and the Trade Union Studies Centre at Lewisham College received support from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

It’s the eighth year the awards have run, and they are organised by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).The entrants were judged on an application form explaining the rationale, approach and benefits of their individual projects, and placed on the shortlist. The next stage they face is the submission of a more in-depth application form which will be judged by a larger panel of experts from both inside and outside further and higher education in October . The winning, and where appropriate highly commended, entries will be announced and presented at the Green Gown Awards Ceremony in November.

Redbridge Institute of Adult Education is shortlisted for the new category of Best Newcomer for their initiative “A greener future”, which focuses on engaging staff and learners in order to achieve sustainability and carbon reduction. The college faces competition from, amongst others, South Thames College’s venture “Education for Sustainable Development - Community engagement and the curriculum”, which aims to create a Low Carbon Zone in South London

The category of Colleges and Smaller Institutions has four nominees, one of which is Walsall Adult and Community College whose project is entitled “A Sustainable Institution and an Excellent Institution are one and the same. We are trying to prove it!” which aims to embed sustainability in an adult and community college

Finally, the Trade Union Studies Centre at Lewisham College is the only college in its category, Learning and Skills, as it faces competition from the University of Nottingham, the University of East London and the University of Exeter, with its initiative “Eco-Skills to Influence Communities”. The Centre received its place on the shortlist for its work developing sustainability skills with vulnerable groups and the unemployed.

The colleges all received funding from LSIS Stepping Up in Sustainability Fund 2011-12, and other sources of funding administered by LSIS.

Conrad Benefield, Programme Development Manager for Sustainability at LSIS said: “We are very proud to see a number of FE providers shortlisted for the Green Gown Awards this year. This reflects the growing levels of enthusiasm, expertise and innovation in this area in the Further Education and Skills sector. LSIS is continuing to encourage, develop and share this through a range of services, resources and funding opportunities under our Leading and Learning for a Sustainable Future strategy.”

The nine English providers shortlisted are:
Derby College – Best Newcomer category
Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service – Colleges and Smaller Institutions
Barnsley College – Construction and Refurbishment
Hull College – Social Responsibility
South Devon College – Modernisation
Those whose projects were partially funded by LSIS are:
Redbridge Institute – Best Newcomer
South Thames College – Best Newcomer
Walsall Adult and Community College – Colleges and Smaller Institutions
Trade Union Studies Centre at Lewisham College – Learning and Skills
The full list is available on the EAUC website