Fergus Ewing MSP - the Scottish Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism – officially opened Scotland’s first HETAS-accredited renewables training academy on 22 January.
Falkirk Renewables Centre is a Plumb Center initiative, which will give installers north of the border the skills and knowledge they’ll need to work with heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal.
The centre offers fully accredited BPEC and HETAS courses, and boasts working displays and training rigs from leading manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Kingspan, Windhager, Broseley and Alpha.
Joining Mr Ewing at the opening were a host of Scottish installers, all looking to make ‘renewable more doable’.
“Renewable heating systems are a vital part of the Scottish economy helping to both reduce CO2 emissions and provide respite to people hard-pressed by energy costs, particularly those located off the gas grid,” Mr Ewing MSP said.
“The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), set to be launched this spring, will help transform the market and Plumb Center’s training centre in Falkirk can play a vital role supporting this initiative.
“The Scottish government supports the Green Deal process for customers, and we maintain local, trusted businesses like Plumb Center are key for the scheme to achieve its full potential.”
Later that day, Plumb Center hosted a seminar designed to help installers get the most from the RHI. The seminar featured a talk from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, information about Plumb Center’s renewables training courses, and suppliers explained how their products will link with the RHI.
“We’re very excited to open Scotland’s first renewables training academy, and are delighted that Mr Ewing MSP cut the ribbon,” said Tim Pollard – Plumb Center’s head of sustainability – who attended the event.
“We want to help installers prepare for the future with top notch training and accreditation, all of which can be found in Falkirk and our seven other training centres across the UK.”
Falkirk Training Centre: Unit 1, Granary Square, Bankside, Falkirk, FK2 7XJ. Telephone: 01324 671254.
