Further Education and Net Zero: Building Skills and Spaces for a Sustainable Economy

Insights

Further Education and Net Zero: Building Skills and Spaces for a Sustainable Economy

The UK’s net-zero sector is now a powerful engine for economic growth and job creation. According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the green economy contributes £83 billion in gross value added (GVA) and is growing three times faster than the broader UK economy, already supporting nearly one million jobs. For sectors like construction, infrastructure, and education, this presents a dual opportunity: to meet a rising demand for skilled workers and to lead by example in shaping sustainable environments.

At HI Group, we believe the transition to net zero is not just about carbon reduction – it’s about enabling people. The further education (FE) sector is uniquely placed to support this shift by preparing the next generation of green economy professionals. But doing so requires more than curriculum changes: it demands sustainable, functional learning spaces that reflect the world students will work in. That’s where we come in.

Turning Strategy into Reality: HI Group’s Impact in Action

We work with colleges, schools, and universities to deliver a wide range of decarbonisation technologies: from Solar PV and heat pumps to wastewater heat recovery and battery storage. Our approach combines deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of the education sector, helping institutions embed sustainability into both campus infrastructure and their wider culture.

Two standout projects – at Gloucestershire College and Borders College – showcase the tangible impact of this work and the difference a long-term strategic partnership can make.

Gloucestershire College: From Ambition to Execution

Our partnership with Gloucestershire College demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability ambition is matched with practical, expert delivery. Working across two of the three campuses, HI Group implemented a comprehensive decarbonisation programme including Solar PV, ground source heat pump heating system, and smart energy monitoring.

Beyond reducing operational carbon and cutting energy costs, the work delivered something just as vital: a real-world learning environment. Students can now see, experience, and interact with the very technologies shaping their future careers. The college’s clear sustainability vision – combined with HI Group’s delivery expertise – turned ambition into action, setting a new benchmark for FE institutions in the region.

Read the case study ➝

Borders College: Leading the Way with Innovation

At Borders College in Scotland, we helped pioneer a first-of-its-kind wastewater heat recovery system – capturing heat from used water and recycling it to reduce heating demand. This innovative solution was part of a wider retrofit strategy to reduce the college’s reliance on fossil fuels and increase renewable heat generation.

Crucially, the system was implemented with minimal disruption to college operations: a key consideration in live education settings. Today, the award-winning project stands as a model for how bold thinking and expert execution can come together to reduce emissions and reliance on gas.

Read the case study ➝

Delivering for Education: What Sets HI Group Apart

These projects aren’t just technical installations… They’re strategic transformations. What sets HI Group apart is our understanding of education environments and our ability to deliver turnkey solutions that align with funding, compliance, and institutional goals.

Whether it’s scheduling works to avoid term-time disruption, advising on finance and project funding such as public sector decarbonisation schemes, or designing systems that support long-term carbon goals, we offer more than just kit: we offer confidence.

For other colleges and universities, the question is clear: if your peers are already embedding these technologies, why aren’t you? And more importantly, how can you start?

Building a Net Zero Workforce Starts with Net Zero Buildings

The net-zero transition is reshaping the UK’s economy. The sector grew by 10% in 2024, and average salaries for green jobs are £5,600 above the UK average. But to build the workforce needed for that clean-energy future, we must also build the right environments. Educational institutions have a vital role to play: not just in teaching sustainability, but in living it.

At HI Group, we help colleges and universities lead by example. Through thoughtful design, reliable delivery, and strategic alignment, we transform learning spaces into sustainable, future-ready environments.

Let’s build the future together.

Whether you’re at the start of your sustainability journey or ready to accelerate your net-zero roadmap, our team is here to help: hello@higroupltd.co.uk