From education to employment

West Yorkshire college first in the world to sign up to pioneering new global sustainability initiative

Shipley College has become the first college worldwide to commit to a brand new global accord dedicated to improving people, planet and prosperity.

The SDG Accord was launched by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) recently at a conference in Vancouver, Canada. It already has 167 educational signatories and counting.

The new global initiative represents the university and college sectors collective response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. It highlights the key role educators have in creating a new generation that meet global challenges head on. It also shows the real power of change that education has within society.

Shipley College has signed the Accord and committed to helping attain the 17 goals that cover issues like gender inequality, poverty, hunger, lack of education, affordable energy, climate change, peace and resilience. They will share best practice with other institutions worldwide and report on the progress they make. Once a year this progress will be collated and presented to the UN High Level Political Forum.

Nav Chohan, Principal at Shipley College, said: “The Sustainable Development Goals are integral to Shipley College’s mission to make a positive difference for our College community and the wider area, inspiring continuous improvement in both our educational and operational activities. An example is that as custodians of the heritage buildings we occupy in Saltaire, we started with a comprehensive Carbon Management plan 5 years ago that has reduced our Carbon footprint by 28%. Signing up to the Accord is a natural extension of our broad based sustainability activities to work towards a better future for the next generation.” 

Iain Patton, Chief Executive of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), said: “This Accord is a huge step in the right direction to better show the world the value of colleges, universities and students. Colleges like Shipley are responsible for moulding the minds of the next generation of leaders and change agents and we are so pleased they have accepted a central role in ending some of the most critical global challenges. Together – we, the post-16 education sector, will do everything in our power to address the most pressing issues of our time and pave the way for change.”

About Shipley College: A small, general further education college that really cares about every person that comes through the door and takes pride in giving every student the individual support they deserve. The practical, vocational and work-related courses offered include Apprenticeships and full-time and part-time courses, across a range of sectors. These variously attract young people aged 16-19 years old, adults wanting to gain skills or develop an interest and 16-24 year olds looking to work and study as an apprentice. Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, the College also acts as a custodian for key listed buildings in the village. 

About The EAUC: A not-for-profit, member based charity, run by members for members and empowers its’ members creativity and dynamism to lead the sustainability agenda within Further and Higher Education in the UK and Ireland.  From starting out as a voluntary organisation in 1996, the EAUC has grown to represent over 2 million students and nearly 400,000 faculty and staff with a spending budget of over £25 billion. The EAUC helps leaders, academics and other professionals to drive sustainability to the heart of their post-16 education institutions. 


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