Low-carbon heating specialist Daikin UK is working in partnership with colleges and training providers across Greater Manchester to help train the next generation of green heating installers as the nation shifts away from fossil fuel boilers.
In partnership with the Quantum Group and the Green Skills Academy, Daikin will deliver the first ‘Train the Green Trainer’ programme for college tutors and staff at nine Greater Manchester colleges, including Hopwood College, Trafford College and Oldham College.
Quantum are installing renewable technology training facilities countrywide designed to upskill built environment students. Supporting college trainers teaching in these new facilities is the next step to ensure learners are given a comprehensive foundation in sustainable and renewable energy technologies. The aim is to train 50 heating and plumbing tutors via the initiative by April 2024.
The five-day course will be made up of an LCL Awards Level 3 in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems, delivered by the General Services Administration (GSA), and a Daikin Monobloc Level 1 Installation, and Daikin Altherma 3 Level 2 Commissioning certification, delivered by Daikin.
It will provide college staff with the qualifications and knowledge to launch and deliver the government’s first of its kind Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship across these colleges from September 2024.
Martin Passingham, head of product and training at Daikin UK, says: “Demand for heat pump installations is currently being let down by the lack of availability of trained and certified installers. At Daikin, we have the capacity to train more than 10,000 installers on air source heat pumps through our accredited and product related courses through Daikin Training Academies and through our extensive network of Sustainable Home Centres – and we’re striving to train around 30% of all installers in the industry.
“However, greater training and support to bolster access to installers is needed. Our partnership with the Green Skills Academy will equip college staff and tutors with the tools needed to upskill a new generation of heat pumps installers and help fill the current installer gap.”
Daikin’s Product courses are configured to progress from Installation through to advanced installation and commissioning which will cover the skills required to install Heat Pumps in a wide range of circumstances, also to fully configure and commission to suit the homeowners’ varying requirements.
Daikin UK will also be working with college staff in Greater Manchester to install Daikin heat pumps at the colleges on completion of the five-day course.
Roosevelt Alexander, director of the Green Skills Academy at the Growth Company, adds: “Our Green Skills Academy was established in 2023 to play a key role in overcoming the biggest barrier we are facing across the UK to achieving net zero, by training the workforce to overcome the skills shortage.
“In Greater Manchester alone, we need an additional 3,000 heat pump installers by 2027 and this can only be achieved by ensuring that there is training support available for the trainers themselves to pass on to the next generation of the workforce.”
