Minister for Affordability and Skills at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway MP, visited the College's Bromley Campus to learn about its green skills training provision.
The Minister, whose portfolio includes energy skills, jobs and education, toured the College's Technology block, visiting construction workshops and its newly launched Green Skills Lab.
With the visit coming ahead of this week's National Apprenticeship Week, Minister Solloway spoke to some apprentices about their training and their ambitions for the future.
College leaders talked about the green skills programmes being delivered, as well as the work being done with employers and other colleges across the region to help address skills shortages in the expanding green industries.
Minister Solloway toured the college's plumbing and carpentry workshops and was shown how to solder and crimp copper pipes. She met with staff and students, spending time talking to them about their college and learning experiences.
The Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said:
"Apprenticeships are a great way to build new skills for life and it was fantastic to meet students at London South East Colleges, who are on a path to join the UK's fast-expanding green energy sector.
"We are leading the way in our transition to net zero and apprenticeships like these are helping to build the workforce that will shape our future."
London South East Colleges' Executive Principal and Chief Learning Officer, Asfa Sohail, welcomed the Minister and gave an overview of the college's new green skills provision. She said:
"We are delighted to welcome Minister Solloway to London South East Colleges today.
"We are proud of our students and apprentices who are working hard to secure the skills they need to fulfil their career ambitions; there is a huge amount of opportunity waiting for them in the green industries. We appreciate the Minister taking the time to come and meet the next generation of green experts, who will be playing a crucial in the journey to Net Zero."
Louise Wolsey, Chief Strategy Officer at London South East Colleges, spoke in more detail about funding the college's innovative training facilities, saying:
"We work with many employers and are acutely aware of the need to develop a strong pipeline of experts for the green industries.
"Funding from the Government's Strategic Development Fund and the Local Skills Improvement Fund has helped put us at the forefront of green skills training. This is helping us to support businesses across the region, as well as giving local people excellent career and employment opportunities, both now and in the future."
Also attending the event was Maria Gonella, Managing Partner at the Quantum Group. She added:
"At Quantum Group, we're doing our utmost to provide solutions to meet 2030 net zero targets. Working with proactive colleges such as London South East Colleges gives us hope that we can enact meaningful change in good time.
"London's first renewable training facilities for level 2 and level 3 students were installed at colleges across the region last year, thanks to the trailblazers in the Local London Green Skills Local London team. LSEC is one of the first in the country to have students working in these renewable training facilities and learning the green skills we need to see us into the future."
Among the students whom the Minister spoke to were Harry (16) and Michael (17), both studying for a T Level in Electrotechnical Engineering. They said:
"We would definitely recommend this course. As well as learning loads of different skills, we are being taught about the new and growing areas of the industry, such as electric vehicles and charging. We will also be doing a 45-day placement with an employer, so will get hands-on experience too."
Herbie Buckler is in his second year of studying for a Level 3 Construction and Built Environment qualification. He talked to the Minister about the different skills he is learning in his course, including surveying and construction law. He said:
"All the tutors here are on your side and treat you as an individual. My lecturer is amazing. There are so many opportunities, including summer internships, so I'm really excited about the future."
Joao (21) spoke about his experience as a plumbing apprentice. He said:
"Apprenticeships are the way forward in education. Learning on the job and being hands-on is a great way to learn, especially when you are backed by a great company. You get experience while learning the theory. It is the best of both worlds. They are a great way to develop yourself into the person you want to become - and there are endless opportunities for the future, so I'm really excited."