Sustainability and Innovation at South West College
Since 2006, IÐAN Education Centre has collaborated with a progressive vocational and technical college in Northern Ireland, South West College. Today, the collaboration focuses on supporting apprentices in internships and strengthening the emphasis on innovation and sustainability in Icelandic education.
The collaboration between Iðan Education Centre and South West College rests on a solid foundation. Since 2006, Iðan has facilitated internships for 400 vocational students from South West College in Icelandic companies through Erasmus grants.
Next to the college stands a historic building that was once a workhouse for the poor. Today, the building has been renovated and converted into a museum and workshops for entrepreneurs. We spoke with Kate McGrath, Business Manager of The Workhouse, about its operations and how they intertwine with the traditional academic activities of South West College. She points out the importance of creating and supporting opportunities in Enniskillen. The Workhouse will serve both local farmers and the college's students. Everyone is welcome and receives support from the college and the community to work on their ideas. The college operates the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (CREST). The college building is designed and built in the spirit of Passive House, a standard that ensures high energy efficiency. South West College is currently aiming to become a leader in education on Passive House standard construction in Northern Ireland. We spoke with Dr. Barry McCarron, who leads research and development in sustainable construction at South West College, about his vision and goals in climate matters. The college building is a remarkable structure where all its parts serve a purpose and save energy and heat. Dr. Barry reviews the benefits for the community, the climate, and the finances, as significant financial savings also accompany the college's green solutions.
The staff of Iðan Education Centre will benefit from the collaboration with South West College. Helen Gray, Head of International Projects at Iðan Education Centre, says the most important thing is to learn from a school community that thinks about the future. “Here is a school community that is thinking about inclusion, green solutions, and digital transformation, weaving it all together into a community and wanting to share it with us.”
