New heat pump training centre opens at North Devon College
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A new Low Carbon Training Centre to train apprentices and professionals on the latest heat pump technology has opened in Barnstaple
A new specialist heat pump training centre has opened at North Devon College in partnership with heating technology manufacturer Vaillant Group UK.
As well as providing training for apprentices on the latest heat pump technologies, the Low Carbon Training Centre on the Sticklepath campus will also run courses for existing plumbing and heating professionals looking to upgrade their skills.
It is the only Vaillant training centre in the South West beyond Bristol and North Devon is one of only four colleges in the UK partnered with Vaillant. It is also the only one in the South West region, giving local engineers access to training on the latest heat pump equipment close to home.
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The centre was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday, September 15) by the Mayor of Barnstaple, Councillor Loki Dawson, joined by John Laramy CBE DL, group principal and CEO of the Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group and local installers, employers and industry partners.
Mr Laramy said: “It is an absolute privilege to open the new Low Carbon Training Centre today. It is a brilliant facility, built in partnership with industry and meeting the needs of the community and this is only the start of our ambition for North Devon College.”
Laura Thomas, head of training at Vaillant, added: “Our partnership with North Devon College, like the one with Exeter College, is a genuine and authentic one.
“The benefit is not just having the kit in place, but the real expertise and knowledge from Vaillant and their trainers, so that we can support education, whether that is for sixth form students, apprentices, or adults already working in the industry who want to upskill for low carbon.”
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With North Devon and Torridge expected to build more than 1,300 new homes a year and heat pumps replacing gas boilers in many new-builds, the college and Vaillant say the centre will help meet growing demand for qualified heat pump installers, assessors and technicians.
Barnstaple mayor Loki Dawson said: “It's a proud day for Barnstaple. This is real investment in our local technicians and a great opportunity to expand greener options here in North Devon, without having to travel all the way to Bristol.”
Mike Blakely, in charge of apprenticeships and partnerships in the college group, added: “This is industry and educational partnership on show, with brilliant support from Vaillant, without whom this would not have been possible.
“The legacy of the work they have done is a futuristic training centre that will support apprenticeships, support industry with specialist training, and help grow the future workforce to close the skills gap we are all so aware of.”
Find out more about North Devon College apprenticeships at https://www.ndc.ac.uk/apprenticeships
Installers can browse and book heat pump technology courses at https://www.myvaillantpro.co.uk/training/training-centres