London’s First Green Plant Academy Opens

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01 July 2025

A new facility to train the next generation in green construction skills has opened in Earls Court.

The Green Plant Academy specialises in training on zero-emission construction equipment and vehicles, such as zero-tailpipe-emission excavators and rollers.

It’s a collaboration between Places for London (Transport for London’s Property Arm), The Skills Centre, Earls Court Development Company, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Sunbelt Rentals, JCB, L Lynch, the National Open College Network (NOCN) and FM Conway.

According to Places for London, 6,200 plant operatives will be needed across the capital by 2027 to meet new housebuilding targets.

The intention of the academy is to help the construction industry transition to “cleaner” ways of working, with emerging green technologies and low-carbon machinery. It also seeks to address the skills gap in the construction sector. CITB predicts that 251,500 extra construction workers will be needed by 2028 to meet expected levels of work

Available courses include fully funded pre-employment programmes, commercial NVQs, Site Safety Plus training, Construction and Highways Apprenticeships, and H&S short courses.

Laura Miller, Construction Skills Manager at Places for London, said: “We’re delighted to extend our construction skills delivery at Earls Court to establish London’s first construction plant training academy. This industry-leading site will help us train the next generation of operatives who will help build the homes, offices and more that London needs to keep growing. By working with our partners, and focusing on sustainable ways of working, we are building new opportunities for local people and helping transform lives and the industry.”

Picture: a photograph of a dumper vehicle with an excavator arm. In the background, there are white tents and other construction equipment.  Image Credit: Luca Marino

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 01 July 2025

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