The initiative, resulting from a collaboration between Energy Saving Trust, Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), South Lanarkshire College, and NIBE Energy Systems, is fully funded by the Scottish Government.
Officially launched by Mr Graeme Dey, minister for higher education, further education and minister for veterans at South Lanarkshire College from this week, the BPEC-approved training and assessment centre will be available to all Scottish colleges.
Designed to offer flexible training across the country, the centre supports the industry in gaining the skills needed to decarbonise homes and buildings, aligning with Scotland’s goal to become net zero by 2045.
Inclusive, diverse and capable supply chain is vital
The Scottish Government has stated that an inclusive, diverse and capable supply chain is vital for decarbonising heat in buildings, estimating that an additional 16,400 jobs will be supported across the economy in 2030 due to investment in zero emissions heat. This initiative will play a crucial role in meeting these objectives.
NIBE Energy Systems assisted in the centre’s design. They supplied it with some of its latest air source and ground source heat pumps to provide hands-on experience with innovative, low carbon heating technologies.
Phil Hurley, managing director of NIBE Energy Systems, said: “We’re so pleased to have been a part of this project. We have made it our mission at NIBE to do as much as we can to empower installers by removing barriers to training and unlocking opportunities. Heat pumps will play a key role in decarbonising homes and buildings in Scotland, and we can’t roll them out without installers.
Availability of workers in the sector must increase to meet demand
“The Climate Change Committee has outlined that net zero has the potential to create between 135,000 and 725,000 jobs by 2030, but that the availability of workers in the sector must increase to meet the demand for low carbon technology.
“Flexible training facilities like this will be fundamental in making sure they can access the skills and qualifications they need, and we’re honoured to have provided the facility with NIBE heat pumps so that they can get to grips with the technology as they learn.”