Baxi teams up with Preston College on low carbon skills programme

Baxi Heating has teamed up with Preston College to train local heating engineers on how to install and maintain environmentally-friendly air source heat pumps.

The training is part of the Constructing Low Carbon Lancashire project, one of seven construction skills projects that make up the Strategic Development Fund (SDF) Pilot being run by The Lancashire Colleges.

Air source heat pumps have been identified by the government as vital to reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and the plan is to install 600,000 a year by 2028. However, while air source heat pumps can lower heating bills and cut carbon emissions in the home, a lack of professionally trained installers means the average cost to fit one in Lancashire can still be as high as £10,000.

As a result of the Pilot, Preston College has expanded its training facilities, as well as purchasing air source heat pumps for training. The training will be available to all heating businesses and installers across the area.

Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi which manufactures heating and hot water solutions from its site in Bamber Bridge, said: "Having such high-quality facilities and technology at Preston College allows us to ensure that heating engineers can train and qualify on the best equipment, which will prepare them for the future challenges and opportunities in the heating industry, as we move towards a net zero carbon future.

"It is imperative that we increase the number of accredited heat pump installers as today’s MCS registered operatives will not be able to cope with the expected growth in demand without support like this."

The college is also working to create apprenticeships and training programmes on installing low carbon, environmentally friendly heating systems, with a view to helping more young people to find work in the industry. A recent study found that over half of gas engineers were over 50.

Mick Noblett, vice principal at Preston College, said: "The SDF allows us to purchase modern air source heat pumps to ensure that installers can practice and qualify on the latest equipment, while the construction of our building skills zone will allow companies from across Lancashire to benefit from low carbon skills to make sure that they are prepared for the future.

"This investment in skills will also benefit young people here in Lancashire, creating opportunities for them to train on the best equipment so they can find permanent, high-quality work that allows them to stay in Lancashire and thrive."