A centre dedicated to training the next generation of renewable heating engineers has officially opened in Colchester.
The Net Zero & Renewables Centre (NZRC) is the result of a partnership between Gasway Services – part of housing provider Flagship Group – and the Colchester Institute. It is said to be the first such training facility in the Essex region.
The centre will deliver crucial new skills in air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging points. Apprentices will gain hands-on experience with the new technologies.
Kevin Bull, operations director at Gasway, said: “We were delighted to be asked to partner with Colchester Institute on this scheme.
“Blueflame, a division of Gasway has been installing renewable technology in Essex and Suffolk for over 15 years and we know first-hand that there is an ongoing need for highly skilled renewable engineers to support customer demand.”
Gasway helped specify, design and install the technologies for the centre, which was largely funded by a £500,000 grant from the government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund.
Thanks to Gasway, industry leading suppliers Samsung Climate Solutions and Worcester Bosch were made aware of the project and have donated kit and equipment including solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
The two suppliers are said to have been so impressed with the quality of the centre they are now preparing to utilise the facility as a regional training hub for training on their equipment.
Gasway will also be using the space to upskill engineers and specialists already in the industry, and opportunities could be made available for Flagship employees to discover more about renewable technologies.
Kevin Prince, Colchester Institute’s board chair, cut a ribbon to open the centre during a launch event at the college’s Sheepen Road campus earlier this month.
Alison Andreas, college principal and chief executive, said: “Colchester Institute continues to support the Essex Green Skills Review by developing green skills content across all our Level 3 programmes, and it goes without saying that our city needs this facility to help deliver on the ambitious new housing targets set for future decades, and also to help homeowners and landlords with retrofit to reduce energy costs.”
Gary Horne, the college’s deputy chief executive, added: “The launch of this facility marks another significant milestone towards achieving our net zero strategy and demonstrates our commitment to the Essex Green Skills Infrastructure Plan.
“The project has been a real collaboration with industry leaders, and we are so grateful to have the partnership support in place that has provided the latest technology, equipment and advice to make our vision a reality.”
Main image: (Left to right) Alison Andreas, college principal and chief executive; Flagship Group chief operating officer, David Armstrong; and Gasway operations director, Kevin Bull. Credit: Flagship Group
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