TV HOST Charlie Luxton visited Fareham College to open a new state-of-the-art training facility.
Charlie, who fronts programmes such as Building the Dream and Homes by the Sea, is renowned for his commitment to sustainable construction and the environment.
The Australian-born writer and architectural designer was ten years old when his family moved to England.
Married with two children, the 48-year-old runs Charlie Luxton Design, which creates sustainable living projects in London, Wiltshire and the Cotswolds.
The college described him as the perfect choice to open its £1.4m Energy Hub.
The new £1.4m Energy Hub training facility at Fareham College (Image: Fareham College)
Charlie said: "If we are going to create the scale of change needed to provide low-carbon technologies, we need them to be front and centre of the construction sector.
"The future needs investment, a massive consumer uptake, leadership and trained, motivated and skilled people to roll it out. Educated students represent those people, and this is where we can empower them to make the change."
READ MORE: Fareham College invests £1.4m in future skills training
The Hub boasts integrated technology, electric and hybrid charging points, ground and air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and technology for smart homes.
It was created in response to the college's commitment to delivering T Levels for construction and engineering studies.
Andrew Kaye, principal of Fareham College, at the opening of its new £1.4m energy hub (Image: Fareham College)
T Levels are new qualifications that focus on developing high-level technical and work-ready skills. They are supported by regional and national employers working to meet existing and future skills gaps to provide exciting and varied career paths.
The former sports hall is full of technology that aims to prepare students for their future careers.
Its roof has been equipped with more than 75 SolarEdge PV panels as part of the college's commitment to make the building become self-sustaining.
Andrew Kaye, principal and chief executive, said: "We're so pleased with the Hub, and the feedback from staff, employers and students has been hugely positive.
"What's unique about this space is the attention given to the resources required for training the skills needed for a low-carbon future.
"I’d like to thank Hampshire County Council Property Services, PMC and Scape Construct Limited for their support in designing, project managing and constructing this training environment."
Richard Fuell, Andrew Kaye and Charlie Luxton at the opening of the new Energy Hub at Fareham College (Image: Fareham College)
Richard Fuell, sales manager of SolarEdge, said one of the biggest challenges facing the solar industry was finding skilled labour.
"What Fareham College has created with the Energy Hub is truly inspiring, and I hope many other colleges all over Europe will follow their lead."
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