August 9, 2023
Installers can now receive certified heat pump training anywhere in Scotland
BPEC certified mobile heat pump training facility to provide heat pump training local to where installers are based
A new BPEC certified approved mobile training and assessment facility, hosted by South Lanarkshire College is now available to colleges across Scotland to provide heat pump training to heating installers, with a particular focus on rural and remote areas and in places where there isn’t currently college training provision. The mobile centre will also act as an extra training facility for colleges responding to surplus demand for heat pump training.
The mobile training facility was launched by Mr Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Minister for Veterans at South Lanarkshire College on Wednesday 2 August.
Mally Butters, BPEC’s Business Area Manager, helped with the set up and approval process for the unit.
The project has been fully funded by the Scottish Government and has come to fruition thanks to a collaboration between Energy Saving Trust, Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), South Lanarkshire College, and heat pump manufacturer NIBE Energy Systems.
Harry Mayers, Head of Home Energy Scotland and Business Energy Scotland at Energy Saving Trust said: “We’re pleased to see this project coming to life. The Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme identified challenges the industry was facing from the lack of training provision in remote and rural areas of Scotland.
“This new facility is designed to play a key part in addressing the need for better training provision in these areas and supporting Scotland’s ambitions to decarbonise the way we heat our homes and buildings”.
Primarily the centre will be used by colleges to deliver heat pump training locally. When not in use for training, other organisations with a legitimate purpose can use the training centre. The Green Heat Installer Engagement programme, managed by Energy Saving Trust, will administer the training resource in partnership with ESP.
Visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/energy-efficiency/green-installer/heat-pump-training/ for more information about the project. Colleges can get more information on how to access the facility by contacting ESP directly.
Jim Brown, Director at ESP said: “ESP were fortunate to secure Scottish Government funding through Energy Saving Trust to invest in renewable energy training facilities across a number of Scotland’s colleges which are now delivering upskilling training for industry and adding enhancing Modern Apprenticeship programmes.
“The launch of the Mobile Heat Pump Training and Assessment Centre is the latest development that will allow industry to access training and assessment facilities no matter where they are located in Scotland. The facility will provide a hugely flexible opportunity for industry to gain the skills required to help us meet the Net Zero targets and we are delighted to have worked with Energy Saving Trust, South Lanarkshire College and NIBE Energy Systems in developing the vehicle.”
Energy Saving Trust, ESP, and South Lanarkshire college are grateful to NIBE who have provided their latest equipment on ground and air source heat pumps for the facility in kind as well as assisted with the design of the technologies and provided support throughout the development stages.
Stella McManus, Principal, South Lanarkshire College said: “South Lanarkshire College is delighted to have been appointed the host college for the first mobile approved Heat Pump Training Facility in Scotland, which is managed by Energy Saving Trust, Energy Skills Partnership, and funded by the Scottish Government. The College played a key role in the design and build of this mobile training facility, which aims to increase the number of qualified heat pump installers across Scotland, with a particular emphasis on the remote and rural areas of the country and will be a shared resource available to all Scottish colleges.
“This facility will also help meet the Scottish Government’s “Heat in Buildings Strategy” over the next few years and showcases heat pump technology to a wider audience including schools and the communities that colleges serve across Scotland. South Lanarkshire College’s commitment to responding to climate change has been evident for more than fifteen years and is sector leading, therefore we look forward to the project’s success.”
About the Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme
The Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme helps customers discover funding opportunities, navigate current legislation, and access resources.
The programme seeks to raise standards across businesses working in the energy efficiency, low and zero emissions heating and microgeneration sectors and ensure householders and businesses can access installers regardless of their location.
About Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.
We empower householders to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.