First heat pump training centre opened in the North East

Go Green Training Academy, based in Peterlee, County Durham, has opened its doors to deliver qualifications in the installation, servicing and maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), helping trades people in the area take advantage of growing demand for low carbon, cost-effective heating. 

The first heat pump training centre in the North East, Go Green Training is the brainchild of Brian Wear and Lee McCann, who have over 40 years of ASHP installation experience between them.

Around 35,000 air source heat pumps are installed in the UK each year but, by 2030, the government has set an annual target of 600,000 as part of its ambitions for the UK to become carbon neutral in 2050. To stimulate this growth, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is launching in April, which will offer up to £5,000 towards the cost of an ASHP. This, coupled with increasing concerns about the cost of fuel and energy, mean heat pumps and other renewable technologies are set to become a common part of our homes and businesses.

At the moment, there are simply not enough trained installers to meet predicted ASHP demand.

Go Green Training Academy will help plumbing and heating engineers take advantage of this marketplace, delivering fully certified LCL Awards ASHP qualifications.

Director Brian Wear said: “We are on a mission to upskill installers in the North East with the training they need to take advantage of the expanding renewables sector. We are the first provider to offer this type of qualification in our area. 

“We want to be at the forefront of training the next generation of air source heat pump engineers across the North of England and Scotland.”

Tracy Harker, Quality Assurance and Relationship Manager at LCL Awards said: “LCL Awards is delighted to be working with Go Green Training Academy and can see that their facilities offer a great learning environment.  Lee and Brian are experienced trainers/assessors with a fresh approach to course delivery. There are plans in place to offer a range of renewable technology qualifications. We wish them every success with this new venture.”

In addition to expert trainers, significant investment has helped to make the facility one of the best in the UK. 

To be accepted onto the course all prerequisite training must be completed. The final certification attained is a level 3 in air source heat pump installation and maintenance.

Training will be delivered by directors Brian Wear and Lee MCCann, who have installed over 100 air source heat pumps for Clear Climate. Both have over 40 years of combined experience installing and training heating systems. This means academy students are not only guaranteed the very best facilities but expert training from engineers and lecturers with an abundance of expertise in the industry.

Government funding is available for air source heat pump training and Go Green Training are in talks with several North East colleges with regards to incorporating this training into the curriculum of relevant courses.

Open day – 25th March

Businesses and individual installers can learn more about the facilities at Go Green Training at their forthcoming open day. 

The event is free to attend, taking place on Friday 25th March, and can be booked on Eventbrite.

For more information, visit: www.GoGreenTraining.co.uk

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