New energy courses at training hub
A set of eight new courses have been launched at Forth Valley College’s Renewable and Energy Efficiency Training Centre.
The wide range of short courses, linked to sustainable energy, offer training in the essential skills of installing and maintaining energy saving systems - skills that have never been more important as Scotland looks to achieve its net zero target.
The eight new courses are: Electrical Vehicle Charging; Domestic Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps; Domestic Solar Photovoltaic; Solar Thermal Hot Water; Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling; Awareness of Environmental Technologies; Domestic Hot Water Storage Systems; and Water Byelaws/water Regulations (one day).
Alistair Mckean, Forth Valley College’s (FVC) training and business development manager, said: “There is a growing demand for heat pump installers and new research from consulting giant EY has found that there are only around 1200 qualified heat pump installers in the UK, while almost 10,000 will be required by 2025.
“And according to Solar Energy UK, installations of solar panels are on the increase as well, so there is a big need for skilled tradesmen and women in this sector.
“The demand for Electric Vehicles (EVS) is also expected to grow rapidly, enabling people to switch to zero emission vehicles, and this will also require ready access to convenient and reliable EV charging infrastructure and training.”
He added: “FVC believe that these eight new courses are essential to upskill tradesmen and women and give them the vital knowledge they will need to install, maintain and operate current sustainable energy systems.
“Our renewables training facilities at our Falkirk Campus are unique and custom built to include a realistic working environment.”
He added that they will give those completing the course a comprehensive understanding of the new technology used to generate energy in today’s society.
For more information on the requirements for applying, course fees and booking details, visit https://bit.ly/3idcagk
FVC successfully tapped into a £500,000 fund created by Scottish Power Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund and overseen by the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), to officially open their Renewable and Energy Efficiency Training Centre in June 2021.