Sharron Robbie, CEO of the Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network (DCTPN), is representing the UK this week in Marrakech at the Climate Connections: UK–Morocco Collaboration for Skills and Research summit, hosted by the British Council.
The high-profile event – to be opened by Mr Alex Pinefield OBE, British Ambassador to Morocco, and Professor Hamid Bouabid, Director of Scientific Research and Innovation at Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education – brings together education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore how green and digital skills can drive sustainable economic growth.
Sharron will share insights from a groundbreaking project led by DCTPN in 2022, which fostered collaboration between UK and Moroccan training providers.
The initiative focused on innovative teaching and learning methods for green skills and renewable energy technologies, ensuring that vocational education keeps pace with the demands of a low-carbon economy.
“The project demonstrated the power of international partnerships in shaping future-ready skills,” said Sharron, ahead of the summit. “We’ve seen lasting impact, from curriculum innovation to stronger institutional links.”
One of the most significant outcomes of the 2022 project is the launch of DCTPN International, a new arm of the network dedicated to expanding global collaboration in skills development.
This move underscores DCTPN’s commitment to supporting the UK’s international education strategy and Morocco’s ambitious sustainability goals, which include achieving over 50% renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030.
Sharron explained: “Climate change is a global challenge, and skills are at the heart of the solution. Our work with Moroccan partners shows that when we share knowledge and innovate together, we create opportunities that benefit learners, employers, and communities on both sides. DCTPN International will build on this success and take our collaboration to the next level.”
The Marrakech summit will spotlight practical strategies for embedding sustainability in education, fostering institutional leadership, and building partnerships in areas such as green construction, renewable energy, and sustainable design.
DCTPN’s contribution will highlight how vocational training can play a pivotal role in equipping the next generation for the green economy.
