Cheshire College – South & West has been named the winner of the Innovation in Learning Award at the Green Expo 2025 Awards, recognising the College’s pioneering approach to sustainable construction education.
The award highlights innovation across the provider but particularly at the Ellesmere Port campus, where students gain hands-on experience in a fully functioning Net Zero Sustainable House — a unique training space equipped with the latest sustainable technologies, such as ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels.
The house has been designed to mirror the technologies and design principles used in modern low-carbon homes, giving students the opportunity to install, maintain, and analyse real working systems.
Students across electrical, plumbing, building surveying, and planning courses can explore, examine, and work directly on sustainable systems. This practical approach equips students with the skills the UK construction sector urgently needs, helping to tackle the national skills shortage.
Helen Nellist, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO, commented:
“Winning the Innovation in Learning Award reflects our commitment to combining practical skills with forward-thinking approaches. From our sustainable house to other projects across campuses, we’re continually finding new ways to prepare students for the challenges of the modern workforce while pushing the boundaries of education.”
Karen Roberts, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement, said:
“Our sustainable house is a learning environment for all students including those on full-time courses, adult students, and apprentices. It gives everyone the chance to explore and work with real-world sustainable construction systems, gaining practical experience that they can’t get in a classroom alone.”
Karen added:
“We are truly grateful to receive this recognition. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and students and motivates us to continue advancing learning and sustainability initiatives.”
The College’s Academy West hospitality team also contributed to the awards evening, catering the event with a menu built around seasonal, sustainable, and locally sourced produce, reflecting Cheshire College’s wider commitment to sustainability across curriculum.
Alongside teaching sustainable construction, the College leads by example, having recently completed a £6.2 million decarbonisation programme significantly lowering its carbon footprint across all three campuses.
To find out more about the College’s sustainable practices, visit https://www.ccsw.ac.uk/sustainability/