SWITCH On Skills
Welcome to SWITCH-On Skills, your gateway to a sustainable future, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We are steadfast in our mission to equip the workforce of tomorrow with the crucial skills needed to navigate and mitigate the challenges of the climate and environmental crisis. Offering complimentary, credit-bearing micro-credential courses, we enable participants to enhance their qualifications and acquire essential skills. Our commitment extends beyond current professionals, reaching into Schools and Colleges across the region, ensuring the next generation is adeptly prepared with vital Net Zero knowledge and skills. Together, let’s skillfully navigate towards a resilient, environmentally-prosperous future.
Our Courses
Microcredential: Environmental Impact and Sustainability
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Develop an understanding of the purpose of environmental permitting, certification, common environmental legalisations, and establishing an effective environmental management system. Ultimately, this greater understanding will allow staff to fulfil their role with greater proficiency and expertise and contribute positively towards environmental practices.
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Microcredential: Renewable Energy Technologies & Infrastructure
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Delve into the various renewable energy sources and technologies crucial for achieving net zero emissions. It would cover areas such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy. The module would explore the design, implementation, and management of renewable energy infrastructure, including considerations related to grid integration, storage solutions, and emerging technologies.
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Microcredential: Introduction to Project Finance for Renewable Energy
: Free | : Level 4 (5 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
This self-paced course will unlock the secrets to effective financial planning in the dynamic world of clean energy. This course is your gateway to understanding the principles, tools, and applications of financial modelling within the renewable energy sector and will cover the principles, models, data, tools, and practical applications tailored for the renewable energy sector.
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Microcredential: The Hydrogen Economy
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
This course will take you on an enlightening voyage through the science, methods, applications, economics, policies, and environmental aspects of this remarkable element. Our course offers a holistic perspective on hydrogen, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to contribute to the ongoing energy transition and the sustainable future of our planet.
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Microcredential: Materials for Energy
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
This course is designed to guide the student through the main concepts of Materials for Energy Production, Storage and Usage. The module explores materials used in the various energy sectors. Scientific concepts will be backed up using real-life examples. At the end of this course, the student should be able to demonstrate an appreciable understanding of materials research that is critically important to the energy sector and, more importantly, the Energy Trilemma (i.e. issues related to energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability).
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Microcredential: Introduction to Electric Arc Furnace Operations
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Steel is the most versatile and important material in the world, and production via the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) route is finding increasing applications for producing both long and strip products. This course highlights both the fundamental aspects of the process and its evolution over the last 60 years, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of EAF steelmaking to blast furnace/BOS steelmaking and reviewing the various options that are available to meet the net zero carbon emission steelmaking target date of 2050.
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Microcredential: Introduction to Fossil-Free Steelmaking
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Steel is the most versatile and important material in the world. However, the steel industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and associated global warming. Sources of greenhouse gas emissions from traditional integrated ironmaking & steelmaking will be detailed, and the latest advancements to realise a carbon-neutral steel industry will be introduced.
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Microcredential: Introduction to Circular Economy
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Discover where important materials in products we use daily come from and how these materials can be used more efficiently, longer, and in closed loops. This is the aim of the Circular Economy, but it doesn’t happen on its own. It results from choices and strategies by suppliers, designers, businesses, policymakers, and consumers.
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Microcredential: Introduction to Electric Vehicles
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Motor vehicles grant us freedom of travel and transportation of essential goods. However, combustion engines contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and associated global warming. The working principles of combustion engines and their greenhouse gas emissions will be detailed, and the latest advancements towards carbon-neutral motor vehicles will be introduced.
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Microcredential: Sustainable Transport and Mobility
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Addressing emissions from the transportation sector is vital for achieving net zero goals. A module on sustainable transport would cover topics like electric vehicles (EVs), alternative fuel technologies, public transportation systems, intelligent transportation systems, and urban planning for sustainable mobility. It would also examine the role of policy, regulations, and incentives in promoting low-carbon transport solutions.
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Microcredential: Introduction to Nature-based Solutions *coming soon*
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are inspired and supported by nature and use, or mimic, natural processes and can be applied strategically to and equitably to help societies address a variety of global environmental challenges. NBS can concomitantly lead to multiple economic, societal and and environmental benefits, such as reducing infrastructure costs, job creation, green growth, enhancing health, wellbeing and recreational opportunities. This course will introduce the learner to the paradigm shift in cultural norms, from working against, to with nature. Each topic will be supplemented by relevant local case studies and applied examples of NBS.
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Microcredential: Low Carbon Active Buildings *coming soon*
: Free | : Level 4 (10 credits) | : Swansea University | : Online | : 12 Weeks
In this course, we explore how buildings can become not just structures but also power stations, paving the way toward a greener, more energy-efficient world. You will gain an understanding of the principles, technologies, economics, policies, and societal impacts of building-integrated renewable energy.
Course Delivery
All courses are conveniently delivered through Swansea University‘s Learning Management System, Canvas, providing a seamless online learning experience. The courses spans 12 weeks, requiring participants to dedicate approximately 3 hours per week to complete it. This structure allows for a manageable yet comprehensive exploration of your chosen course.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in three progressive assessment quizzes, complemented by a comprehensive final written assessment that culminates their learning journey. All assessments are conveniently submitted through the secure and user-friendly platform Canvas.
Expert guidance and assistance are readily available from our project lecturers and dedicated learning technologists to ensure a supportive and enriching learning environment. These experienced professionals can be easily reached through Canvas or via email.
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