With the aim of raising the bar for HVAC training in the North of England, Daikin has opened a new training academy in Manchester. The new facility has been equipped with the latest in Daikin technology and offers hands-on courses for both new and experienced heat pump installers, along with the installation of renewables technology to support the drive towards net zero in the Manchester region and beyond.
A standout addition is a realistic house frontage complete with a living room and airing cupboard, featuring a fully operational heating and cooling system. This immersive setup allows participants to practice installations in conditions that closely replicate actual domestic environments, building confidence and competence in real-world scenarios. The academy also includes an interactive zone dedicated to virtual reality training and a wall of interactive controls, offering innovative learning methods that complement traditional hands-on instruction.
Speaking at the opening, Daikin UK’s MD Tomoji Miki, commented: “This sate-of-the-art facility reflect our commitment to the North of England and will play a crucial park in backing the UK’s ambitious decarbonisation plans. The growing appetite for low carbon heating, and a nationwide shortage of trained engineers, means there has never been a better time for installers to upskill into heat pumps. With the transformation of our Manchester Training Academy, we are better equipped to provide the most advanced training to local tradespeople.”
The opening of the new academy comes at a key moment for Daikin, having recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This is part of a landmark five-year collaboration agreement aimed at scaling up low-carbon heating across the city-region and delivering its 2038 carbon neutrality target.
The agreement strengthens a two-year partnership that has already delivered £0.5 million in social value to the city-region through innovative technology projects. Key achievements include installing 1,500 heat pumps across Greater Manchester, with many benefiting social housing tenants; donating and installing 40 heat pumps at the Embassy Village homeless facility in the city centre; training 35 college tutors who will educate hundreds of young people in heat pump installation; and developing low carbon heating educational resources now being taught in 10 local schools, with plans for city-region-wide rollout.
The Academy offers over 200 different training courses, including LCL accredited courses, and is looking to train over 1500 installers annually. In addition, the academy also offers installation training on Daikin’s low temperature, high temperature, hybrid, and air-to-air cooling and heating solutions – starting at level 1 through to level 3 and service, fault finding and maintenance courses for different technologies.
Trades who are interested in finding out more about training opportunities at the Manchester academy, should visit: www.daikintraining.co.uk
