NORTH EAST: A training centre dedicated to green energy microgeneration technologies is to be opened later this year.
Construction work will begin this month on the Green Energy Training Centre (GETC) on Wirral International Business Park in Bromborough with funding for the £280 000 project being drawn from both the public and private sector.
The GETC is a partnership between the Skills Funding Agency and two Wirral-based private businesses Stiebel Eltron, the German-owned renewable energy product manufacturer, and Scientiam, the Birkenhead-based training provider.
Stiebel Eltron will invest £57 000, Scientiam £100 000 and SFA £122 000, through the Regional Skills Capital Development Fund. The GETC will be built at Stiebel Eltron's premises and is due to open in July.
Mark McManus, the company's UK managing director said the centre will be open to train construction industry tradesmen across the UK.
"We know the GETC can play a vital role in filling the green energy skills gap," he said.
"We also know that green energy is the future. Over £100bn is being invested in the industry creating an estimated 160 000 jobs by 2020."
Mr McManus said the GETC will provide the highest standards of training on the latest equipment helping installers from across the UK become accredited for the Government's Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
"This accreditation is critical. Without it, homeowners using installers not recognised by the MCS cannot apply for government grants that can pay up to half the costs of buying and installing green energy equipment."
