A college group has been commissioned to deliver specialist training in ‘green skills’ for a local authority.

Ashford Borough Council has appointed the East Kent Colleges Group to conduct the training at one of its sites in the town as part of the authority’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding.

The skills on offer will include courses in retro-fitting properties with new green tech as well as qualifications in both air source and ground source heat pumps.

Courses - designed to help boost the number of those with the skills to help the borough push towards a net-zero future - will be delivered at its specialist Wooten Road centre in the town.

East Kent Colleges Group deputy CEO, Lucy McLeod, said: “The green revolution is upon us, but we need to ensure that there are plenty of skilled practitioners able to deliver against the ambitious targets that have been developed.

“These courses will help to ensure that Ashford is primed to deliver against these.”

Cllr Simon Betty, cabinet member for commercial property and investment at Ashford council, added: “The UK Shared Prosperity Funding offers a fantastic opportunity for local residents to upskill by taking advantage of the courses being offered.”

All the courses have been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and are free to those who are eligible.