Warwickshire College Group Initiates £900k Low Carbon Construction Centre at Rugby College

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 23 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Rugby College is set to launch a groundbreaking Low Carbon Construction Centre, thanks to a £900k grant from the Department for Education. Warwickshire College Group (WCG) plans to repurpose an existing building on the Technology Drive campus, focusing on low carbon construction techniques such as heat pumps and solar applications. The facility aims to bridge the skills gap in sustainable construction and invites collaboration with industry experts to shape its curriculum and facilities. For more information, contact the Employer Services team at employers@wcg.ac.uk.

Rugby College is gearing up to pioneer eco-friendly construction education with the establishment of a cutting-edge Low Carbon Construction Centre. Warwickshire College Group (WCG) secured a £900k grant from the Department for Education to create this state-of-the-art facility, addressing the growing demand for skills in sustainable construction. The centre, situated at the Technology Drive campus, will repurpose an existing building and offer specialized courses in low carbon techniques, focusing on areas like heat pumps and solar applications.

This forward-looking initiative aims to narrow the skills gap in the construction sector while promoting economic growth across the region. WCG plans to open the Low Carbon Construction Centre in September, leveraging the infrastructure at the Rugby College site for hands-on demonstrations. The centre will initially provide short courses for small businesses, progressing to apprenticeships and integration into WCG's full-time Further Education courses.

Alan May, Director of Apprenticeships at WCG, expressed delight at receiving the Department for Education funding. He emphasized the centre's focus on low carbon construction, aligning with the industry's shift towards Net Zero. The repurposed building at Rugby College will incorporate existing infrastructure, including a ground-source heat pump for practical demonstrations.

WCG invites collaboration from construction businesses to shape the centre's facilities and contribute to curriculum development. The involvement of industry experts from the outset ensures that the facility aligns with the specific needs of the construction sector. Additionally, employers will have opportunities to engage with the centre as subject experts, delivering guest lectures and providing valuable insights.

The grant will not only fund the physical infrastructure but also support the development of e-learning modules. WCG plans to collaborate with other colleges in the region to create comprehensive e-learning resources tailored to the needs of the West Midlands.

Construction businesses interested in shaping the new Low Carbon Construction Centre at Rugby College are encouraged to contact the Employer Services team at employers@wcg.ac.uk. This collaborative approach ensures that the facility meets industry requirements and delivers relevant skills for the region's workforce.

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Aurrigo’s Autonomous Airport Tech Gets Green Light for Global Deployment

Coventry-based Aurrigo International has received formal approval for its autonomous ground handling technologies to be rolled out across over 60 airports globally, following a successful trial at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The breakthrough comes through its partnership with Aviation Solutions, a division of the Royal Schiphol Group, announced in April 2024. After testing Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Sim® systems at Schiphol, the technology has now been validated for broader commercial deployment.

Royal Schiphol Group—operator of Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague, and Lelystad Airports—holds stakes in a host of global hubs including Eindhoven, Brisbane, Hobart International, and JFK Terminal 4, and has collaboration agreements with Beijing Capital International Airport and Seoul Incheon. This global footprint now opens the door for Aurrigo’s smart airside innovations to be adopted worldwide.

Photo Credit: Aurrigo

Marcel Stroop, Director of Go-to-Market at Aviation Solutions said:

“Aurrigo is a true front-runner in autonomous ground handling. We work to deliver solutions we can guarantee 100%, and Aurrigo is now part of that movement—bringing proven innovations from Schiphol to airports around the world.”

The successful trial featured Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug®, a next-generation electric and autonomous vehicle for transporting luggage and cargo, and Auto-Sim®, a simulation platform that enables airports to plan, model and optimise autonomous operations in advance of real-world deployment.

With validation in hand, the next phase will focus on commercialising Aurrigo’s technology through Aviation Solutions’ extensive global network.

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo said:

“This endorsement confirms the demand for our smart airside solutions. It also strengthens our go-to-market strategy by working with a trusted, incentivised partner who connects us with well-informed, progressive aviation customers.”

Aurrigo’s innovations are part of a growing trend toward automation in aviation, helping airports reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability goals.

By Anushka Malhotra

8 Apr