UHI launches renewable energy training partnership with Durham College
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has announced a new international partnership with Durham College (Ontario, Canada), focused on supporting workforce development in the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.
Representatives from Durham College recently visited Scotland to meet with UHI leaders at UHI House in Inverness on Wednesday 18 March, where the two institutions formally signed a memorandum of understanding and confirmed plans to collaborate on a range of training and education initiatives.
As part of the agreement, UHI and Durham College will launch their first joint initiative: an online Renewable Energy Project Management programme, designed to support professionals working in or entering the renewable energy industry. The programme is scheduled to launch in autumn 2026.
The programme will draw on the combined expertise of both institutions, equipping learners with the project management knowledge and sector awareness required to support the successful delivery of renewable energy projects.
Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UHI, said:
“UHI is committed to working with partners around the world to develop the skills needed for the energy transition. Our approach is based on sharing our experience while learning from others working in similar contexts internationally, supporting new and innovative approaches to renewable energy development.
“Our valued partnership with Durham College brings together international expertise to create learning opportunities that will help professionals plan and deliver renewable energy projects, while supporting workforce development across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Perthshire and beyond.”
The partnership follows several months of discussions between the two institutions, exploring opportunities to collaborate on programmes that respond to evolving industry needs.
During the visit, representatives from both organisations also engaged with academic and institutional colleagues to consider wider opportunities for collaboration in training, education and industry engagement.
Robin Young, Managing Director, Business and Workforce Development, Corporate Training Services at Durham College, said:
“Partnering with UHI allows us to bring global expertise directly to learners in the renewable energy sector. There is an immediate need for training that equips professionals with the expertise required to drive sustainable energy projects forward, and this collaboration helps us meet that need.”
This partnership reflects UHI’s continued commitment to developing international collaborations that connect education, research and industry, and support sustainable economic growth in the regions it serves.