To advance the UK’s journey toward achieving net zero, Energy & Utility Skills is proud to announce the establishment of the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP). This initiative strategically aligns with the needs of the renewable sector within the power generation industry. Power generation
FCC Environment is putting its quarry plant operators and managers through their paces with Finning training experts to improve fuel efficiencies and cut fuel burn. More than 30 FCC machine operators and plant managers have completed the Finning Eco-Drive™ operator training programme so far, which is part of a company-wide
Leading UK powered access provider Nationwide Platforms has seen the second cohort of trainers graduate from its new IPAF trainee programme. Currently holding a 100% pass rate, the programme is designed to close the trainer skills gap and encourage younger people to become certified instructors. Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Roddis, Paulina
Aggregate Industries has launched its drive for its 2024 apprenticeship scheme. The leading construction materials supplier has its headquarters near Coalville in Leicestershire and 200 plus sites across the country. The business is seeking to recruit to 74 positions this year, building towards around 200 active roles across the business.
Construction Youth Trust’s Patron attends launch event as charity partners with City developers in five-year plan to boost social mobility for young Londoners A prestigious event at Broadgate this week celebrated the partnership launch of Broadgate Future Talent – a collaborative five-year project to create new apprenticeship pathways for young
Carmarthenshire County Council and Bouygues UK, who are currently delivering the new prestigious, multi-million pound development Pentre Awel, held a Dragon’s Den style event to celebrate their 21st Century skills work experience scheme. Five local schools in Llanelli – Bryngwyn School, Coedcae School, Ysgol Pen Rhos, St John Lloyd RC
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has welcomed the highest number of women to join its latest cohort of apprentices – following a successful East Midlands pilot programme. Of the 71 apprentices joining its latest quarterly intake at its national training centre in Darlington, six are female with a further
Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, proudly announces its achievement at the ‘FIS Training Awards’, taking home the accolade for the ‘FIS Member Training Programme’ category, after receiving commendation for its one-of-a-kind installation school. The Zentia Installation School has been recognised as an industry benchmark and forms
A new £500,000 green energy centre in Merseyside has received the backing of Ideal Heating, as part of the company’s commitment to attract fresh talent into the heating industry. The Green Energy Skills Centre, at St Helens College, will enable heating engineers to learn the skills needed to install, commission
Prestwick North Educational Campus has come first place in the ‘Pupil/Student Experience’ category at the prestigious Learning Places Scotland Awards 2023. The South Ayrshire Council campus was up against tough opposition for the award with the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh universities also in the running. The judging panel was
To advance the UK’s journey toward achieving net zero, Energy & Utility Skills is proud to announce the establishment of the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP). This initiative strategically aligns with the needs of the renewable sector within the power generation industry. Power generation is undergoing significant technological advancements such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), energy from waste, wind, and other renewable sources. These advancements are creating numerous job opportunities, with further anticipated industry growth indicating a requirement for an additional 70,000 skilled professionals within the offshore wind sector alone by 2030. In October 2023, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, produced power for the first time, and upon full operation, it will provide power equivalent to the needs of six million homes. In addition to this, more than 15 million tonnes of residual waste is converted annually by the UK’s Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs), enough to supply half the homes in London for an entire year. Currently, however, many employers express concerns about finding and securing the right talent. The Power Generation Group is taking steps to address these concerns by identifying skill gaps and shortages. They have already recognised the need for a targeted approach in crucial areas within energy from waste, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage. Specialised skills such as electrical and mechanical engineering, planning and connecting, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), among others, are foreseen as essential to meet the evolving demands of the renewables industry. Stephen Barrett, Director of Membership and Strategic Engagement at Energy & Utility Skills said: “A focus on renewables within the Power Generation Group allows us to support industry by establishing and upholding the necessary training standards, contributing to the UK’s training infrastructure, and addressing the growing demand for upskilling.” In a world where the transition to net zero is of critical importance, the focus on green skills by the Power Generation Group within the National Skills Academy for Power is a significant step forward. This move underscores Energy & Utility Skills commitment to facilitating the UK’s transition towards a more sustainable and greener energy future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FCC Environment is putting its quarry plant operators and managers through their paces with Finning training experts to improve fuel efficiencies and cut fuel burn. More than 30 FCC machine operators and plant managers have completed the Finning Eco-Drive™ operator training programme so far, which is part of a company-wide initiative called ‘Don’t Be Fuelish’. The campaign aims to crack down on machine idle time and minimise fuel burn, as well as improving CO2 emissions and reducing operating costs. Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® equipment and parts, launched its Eco-Drive™ operator training in 2009 aimed at refining operator skills to increase performance and crucially cut costs by giving operators the skills they need to better utilise the tools and technologies available in the equipment. Due to the popularity of the operator training, Finning recently added an Advanced Performance programme specifically aimed at managers and supervisors to enable them to better manage the fleet operations and deliver greater efficiency, safety, and productivity. Bill Stone, Group Plant Manager at FCC Environment, said: “We’ve been doing business with Finning for some time and enjoy a good working relationship with them. We started looking at all our operational data to identify how we can improve idle times – and vitally cut fuel costs – and the training delivered by Finning was an important part of that. “We’ve done four sessions of the operator training so far and feedback has been good. Many of our quarry operators have been with us for 10 years or more, but many of them don’t typically use the technology that is fitted as standard in new Cat machines which can save them time and fuel. The great thing was when they came out of the sessions, they were all fired up and telling other operators’ things they’d picked up – which was great. “I think they really appreciated the fact that they had the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with the trainer – who were on their level as former operators, so they really engaged with them. “I attended the advanced course for managers, and it was very good. For example, we learnt about the impact of using incorrect ground engaging tools and how this affects machine productivity.” The advanced course also addresses topics such as assessing and measuring equipment capability to optimise fuel usage, identifying inefficiencies as well as looking into best practice operating techniques and the fundamentals of machine application. Participants on the course develop their own site improvement plan, with the Finning team providing a follow-up review to provide any ongoing guidance and support. Bill adds: “We’ll never completely cut out zero idling, but this campaign and dedicated training with Finning experts helps the operators understand how much money is wasted in terms of fuel and repair and maintenance. Educating the managers so they understand the economic and environmental gains achieved by only having machines working when they’re needed is already yielding savings across the company.” Jonathan Davies, Finning UK & Ireland Industry Manager for Industrial & Waste and Paving, said: “When you’ve got a quarry working 2000 hours a year every penny counts, and you must make sure you get the best per cost per tonne. “While we can supply efficient and reliable machines, the greater the operator skill and efficiency the less wear and tear there is on the machine and fuel wastage and the greater the site efficiency.” Both the Eco-Drive™ Operator Training and Advanced Performance Training courses are Institute of Quarrying CPD accredited and are available from one of Finning UK & Irelands’ facilities, or group training can be delivered at a customer site. To find out more about Finning Eco-DriveTM Operator and Manager Training courses go to www.finning.com/en_GB/services/customer-training/operator-training.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading UK powered access provider Nationwide Platforms has seen the second cohort of trainers graduate from its new IPAF trainee programme. Currently holding a 100% pass rate, the programme is designed to close the trainer skills gap and encourage younger people to become certified instructors. Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Roddis, Paulina Stempnakowska, Robbie Hayhurst and Matt Dawson were the latest five participants to graduate. Previously, prospective trainers had to have a minimum of three years of operator experience before advancing to training others. However, this has resulted in many trainers retiring with no replacement, creating a subsequent skills gap. Designed and created by Nationwide Platforms’ Operational Training Manager Brian Sneddon and Senior IPAF Instructor Neil Laws in partnership with the International Powered Access Federation, (IPAF), the new programme accelerates the education process through a mix of face-to-face classes, on the job training and complimentary e-learning, over an intensive 10-15 week course. The course covers all aspects of operation, including an expected minimum of 150 operating hours, as well as administration and trainer management. The programme is tail ended by an intensive two-week assessment period that vigorously tests applicants’ knowledge and practical skills. Jessica, Jennifer, Paulina, Robbie and Matt had to travel to different locations to gain experience and knowledge from a variety of Nationwide Platforms depots. 23-year-old Jessica, from Teesside, came from an agricultural background and was used to operating machinery but lacked the management skills required to be a trainer. The course equipped her with the knowledge and tools to train others to match her operational experience. She commented, “The jump from operator to instructor is significant. It was eye-opening to learn how much I didn’t know, but the course quickly filled the gaps in my knowledge. I had the most amazing experience, with some great people who were always there to offer support. I would highly recommend this course to everyone.” Jennifer, 22, hailing from Hereford, previously worked on farms and construction sites, much like Jessica. Similarly adept at operating machinery, Jennifer found the IT side of the training the most challenging but the programme gave her all the support she required. She said, “Nationwide Platforms were extremely helpful, offering hands-on guidance. All the instructors were brilliant and went the extra mile to help us out. It could be extremely challenging having a great deal of information to absorb and memorise. However, as you progress, the wealth of technical information and safety information start to seep into the practical, hands-on training. I plan to take forward all I’ve learnt and do further training.” Paulina, mid-30’s and based in Leicester, was inspired by previous applicant Kelly-Ann Macgillivray to apply for the course. As a member of Nationwide Platforms’ fleet management team, Paulina had plenty of management and administration experience but far less hands-on operative knowledge. She said, “I saw how much Kelly-Ann benefited from doing this course, so when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate. It’s been a tough but rewarding journey and I couldn’t have done it without the wonderful support of the tutors and other participants. One challenge I faced was the pronunciation of certain English words, as it’s my second language. Communication is vital when training other operatives, so I had to make sure my pronunciation was clear and correct. I’m now in a learning groove, and I’m keen to continue gaining more qualifications.” Robbie, 39, from Liverpool, previously worked as a regional driver within Nationwide Platforms and even before the IPAF programme came out had expressed interest in becoming an instructor. His goal now he has qualified is to upskill within the training department as much as possible. Matt, 57, from St Helens, has almost three decades experience as an SV (Specialist Vehicles) operator for Nationwide Platforms. Matt has extensive knowledge with the kit and has travelled the country operating the largest machines on prestigious projects. Now he’s qualified, he hopes to learn as much as possible with the training department. Now fully rounded trainers, the cohort are looking forward to advancing their careers with Nationwide Platforms, through further training and career development. Brian Sneddon said, “This course is a fantastic way to build your skill set in a safe and supportive environment. It’s been wonderful having a new cohort who embody the talented people we work with, displaying amazing passion and commitment to their education. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of Neil Laws, who continues to take this course from strength to strength, giving up much of his personal time to provide a high-quality training experience for the participants. I can’t wait to see more cohorts come through the programme and encourage anyone looking for a new career path or to continue their own development to apply.” As Nationwide Platforms continues to finetune the course, applications for the next intake are currently open to internal and external applicants to increase the number of IPAF certified trainers. For more information on the IPAF training programme visit: https://training.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb/ipaf-training-courses
Aggregate Industries has launched its drive for its 2024 apprenticeship scheme. The leading construction materials supplier has its headquarters near Coalville in Leicestershire and 200 plus sites across the country. The business is seeking to recruit to 74 positions this year, building towards around 200 active roles across the business. Apprenticeships allow people in the early part of their career to earn while they learn and provide the opportunity to gain qualifications alongside practical experience within a business. Two types of qualification will be offered. Higher Apprenticeships, which require A-levels or the equivalent of 80 UCAS points, and Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) which require five GCSEs. The company works with education partners including the University of Derby, UCLAN, Liverpool John Moores University, Tiro, Mercuri and Make UK in the delivery. A variety of apprenticeships will be offered in the following specialisms: New opportunities are also being offered as part of the 2024 scheme which include: James Roberts, HR Director for Aggregate Industries, said: “We are delighted to be offering a broad range of apprenticeships again this year. “There is a real need to attract the next generation of young people to become the future colleagues and leaders of Aggregate Industries. “Across the construction industry as a whole we recognise that there is an ageing workforce and there remains huge demand to fill roles across all specialisms. “The great advantage of an apprenticeship is it offers a fantastic opportunity to those seeking out a career to learn essential skills through first-hand on-the-ground experience, alongside studying for and gaining a qualification – all while earning. “We have a clear drive to continue to evolve and lead the way in decarbonising the construction industry through accelerating green growth and having more sustainable operations. We know this is something that is important to many young people, especially when it comes to something as important as a career choice. “I’m really looking forward to welcoming the next generation of our workforce during 2024.” Callum King (19) has just completed his first year of a Higher Apprenticeship within the Concrete Products division of the business and is based at Croft in Leicester. He said: “After finishing my A-Levels I felt as though I wanted to start working and gaining valuable experience in a real job role, however I also wanted to continue studying and gain a qualification. Doing an apprenticeship has allowed me to do this, it also taught me valuable skills such as time management. In my first year I learnt a lot about the industry but also about the role I am in. “For me, the best thing about doing an apprenticeship is the ability to learn onsite and take it back to the classroom, learning valuable skills whilst actually using them is very rewarding. Doing an apprenticeship was the best decision I made. The advice I would give is to consider how you learn best. If you learn something by doing it, an apprenticeship is a great opportunity.” Harry Folwell (19) from Coalville, Leicestershire is undertaking an advanced apprenticeship in Commercial and Sales with the Surfacing Solutions division of the business He said: “I was doing my A-Levels and had no idea what it was I wanted to do. All I knew was that university wasn’t for me so I just thought I’d get my A-Levels done and look for a job. I was looking around and fortunately my friend had just done his first year as an apprentice at Aggregate Industries and told me I should take a look at what was on offer and I ended up following in his footsteps. “For me the big benefit is that you are being paid to essentially learn. There’s a lot to learn about the business and the world of work but what is good is that any support or training you need is there for you and they take you step-by-step. You really feel like you are learning a trade and getting to know how a big business works. “Obviously, it all depends on the person, but if you are unsure and not sure that you want to go to university, then you should seriously consider an apprenticeship. Just go for it, you have nothing to lose. You’re being taught and being paid.” Katie Eyre is a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Cauldon Cement Plant in Staffordshire. She said: “I chose the apprenticeship route as you get to gain experience alongside the theoretical side. The best thing is the hands-on side. You get to learn from experienced people on the job who have a varied range of skill sets. “Aggregate Industries is really welcoming and you are helped all along the way. It’s a great place to learn and I would recommend it to anyone.” The opportunities are now live and applications are being accepted. Virtual candidate assessments will take place after which successful candidates will be invited to on-site assessment days in the Spring. For more information about opportunities with Aggregate Industries visit our Careers webpages. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction Youth Trust’s Patron attends launch event as charity partners with City developers in five-year plan to boost social mobility for young Londoners A prestigious event at Broadgate this week celebrated the partnership launch of Broadgate Future Talent – a collaborative five-year project to create new apprenticeship pathways for young Londoners. As the project’s charity partner, Construction Youth Trust (CYT) invited its Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, to the showcase of how a major London development can be a powerful engine of social mobility and workforce diversity. Along with property company, British Land and construction company, Sir Robert McAlpine, CYT also invited guests from the City, as well as partner employers and some of the project’s young beneficiaries. The vision of Broadgate Future Talent is to introduce young people from the City’s neighbouring communities to all aspects of the built environment sector, to inspire them about working in an industry with a huge skills-need, and to support these budding young professionals to develop their employability and connect with life-changing career opportunities. CYT has worked with British Land and Sir Robert McAlpine to forge partnerships with other Broadgate employers who have pledged financial and in-kind support. Carol Lynch, Construction Youth Trust CEO, stated: “We expect Broadgate Future Talent to engage 500 young people from low socio-economic groups each year. Through the delivery of inspiring sessions in schools in Central London Forward boroughs, as well as immersive world-of-work experiences and support from our coaches and industry mentors, we will tackle hidden barriers and many young talents will achieve their career potential as a direct result of this project.” Paul Hamer, Chief Executive at Sir Robert McAlpine, commented: “As an industry we need to attract a greater diversity of talent, and we are looking for under-represented young people who will spearhead developments in the future. The quality of students we are seeing come to us through this project is outstanding. We want to employ them; we want them to be part of the future of our business.” David Lockyer, Head of Development at British Land, said: “At British Land we are committed to having a lasting positive impact in everything we do. This collaboration ensures we can do just that through our developments at Broadgate, supporting emerging talent into the industry and helping businesses attract and retain this talent.” The event was held on the final day of a three-day Building Future Skills course – just one of a suite of programmes run by CYT to support young people into inspiring careers. The winning team from the 16–17-year-old participants were presented awards by The Duke, following which three of last year’s cohort, now higher-level degree apprentices, took part in a panel interview to discuss their career journey – and their future plans as young professionals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carmarthenshire County Council and Bouygues UK, who are currently delivering the new prestigious, multi-million pound development Pentre Awel, held a Dragon’s Den style event to celebrate their 21st Century skills work experience scheme. Five local schools in Llanelli – Bryngwyn School, Coedcae School, Ysgol Pen Rhos, St John Lloyd RC Comprehensive and Ysgol Y Strade – took part in the event aimed at empowering learners to discover careers in construction and design, a culmination of a 12-week learning and mentoring programme based around the world of building and construction. When the scheme was launched in May 2023, each school was given a brief to design a collaborative workspace, that aligned with the ethos of Pentre Awel; innovation, positive health and well-being and environmentally-sustainable design. During that time, they were mentored by Bouygues UK staff and had visits to site several times to develop their designs briefs and help them prepare for their final pitch to a panel of judges. The judging panel was made up of a diverse group of professionals from Bouygues UK, Carmarthenshire County Council and Gleeds Project Consultancy. The pupils had just 10-minutes to put their best foot forward and showcase their final designs, including the development journey they had been on and examples of how their mentors helped them along the way. Each school was responsible for their pitch and how they wanted to present to the panel, with some writing additional bid documents to support their presentation, some presenting 3D scale models, and others demonstrating digital fly-throughs of their designs. One group brought along a collection of plants to demonstrate their biophilic wall design. The designs on the day were so impressive that the judges found it difficult to single out one school as an overall winner; St John Lloyd RC Comprehensive and Ysgol Y Strade were crowned joint winners while primary school Ysgol Pen Rhos won the innovation/sustainability award for their biophilic design and carbon capture ideas. Nina Williams, Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for Pentre Awel, said: “The input from all the schools was outstanding with some amazing designs and concepts based around the four themes. The most rewarding part has been the way in which the learners have developed in confidence. “At the beginning of the experience they were all very nervous to ask questions, the mentors being unfamiliar to them, but by the time they were preparing for their final pitch, they were working round the table, firing off ideas, listening to the mentor’s advice and having conversations about how to change and improve their designs. The project has helped the schools to build future relationships with industries, utilising the knowledge and experience of professionals to enhance and develop their knowledge base which can be applied in their future curriculum design.” Project Director Peter Sharpe said: “It’s been really refreshing to take time out of my normal day-to-day activities to listen to the five presentations. The information and depth of knowledge and understanding of the brief were absolutely fantastic. I’m sure there will be some aspects of the learner’s designs that we could incorporate into the building. A project like this is of great value to the world of construction.” Aeron Rees, Head of Strategy and Learner Support at Carmarthenshire County Council, added: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to be part of the judging panel. The youngsters equipped themselves very well and they were inspiring in what they had to say and what they delivered. This project shows a superb example of the synergy between the business community and education, and we are really indebted to Bouygues UK and our colleagues in the council for facilitating this for our learners.” As part of Bouygues UK’s commitment to provide significant social value and engagement to surrounding schools, colleges and universities, there is also a school ambassadors scheme. Bouygues UK is keen for the children to share their ideas and help shape the project, which in turn will enable them to see first-hand the work that goes into the construction process. The children will make regular visits to the site to see the progress being made and will work on school projects centred around construction and building. The 21st Century Skills initiative is part of a broader programme of community benefits to be delivered during the development of Zone 1 of Pentre Awel to realise social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. This includes targeted recruitment and training, community engagement, STEM activities and supply chain engagement. Pentre Awel is a truly collaborative scheme being delivered for the local community by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and colleges and is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million). It aims to create around 1,800 jobs over 15 years and boost the local economy by more than £450m. The development will include a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and hydrotherapy pool together with education, research and business development space; a clinical research and delivery centre; and a well-being skills centre. Externally, Pentre Awel will enjoy landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, walking and cycling. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has welcomed the highest number of women to join its latest cohort of apprentices – following a successful East Midlands pilot programme. Of the 71 apprentices joining its latest quarterly intake at its national training centre in Darlington, six are female with a further two women already having inducted earlier this year – compared with just one during the whole of 2022. Four were recruited as a result of TICA’s pilot initiative in Nottingham, which was designed to encourage more women to consider a career within the male-dominated industry. The national training provider attended several career fairs and colleges across the city and staged two recruitment days to raise awareness of the available opportunities and to match applicants with local employers. The female apprentices range in age from 16 to 50 and are from a variety of backgrounds and careers, including a special educational needs teacher, shop worker, and school leaver. In all, 12 female candidates attended the two recruitment days, and it is hoped the remainder may apply at a later date. The remaining four female apprentices at TICA were directly recruited by employers Altrad UK and Powertherm Contract Services. Marion Marsland, chief executive of TICA, said: “Prior to 2023, we welcomed on average just one female apprentice every three years. While the numbers may still be low, it represents a significant leap forward. It’s also encouraging to see that employers also recognise the benefits of having a more diverse workforce. “Women haven’t always seen construction as a career option due to a perception that it involves heavy manual work. This isn’t the case and TICA will continue to encourage and inspire more women to break down those invisible barriers that have prevented them from gaining well-qualified and well-paid jobs.” The thermal insulation industry is currently facing a recruitment shortage caused by an ageing workforce nearing retirement and a reduction in numbers of EU workers. Helen Anderson, head of learning at TICA, added: “We are experiencing a big demand for apprentices to bridge the resulting skills shortage, a gap that we are starting to bridge. “TICA is working with its employers to help them recruit directly, offering tailored support with everything from attending careers fairs, linking up with colleges, and organising recruitment campaigns and interviews.” It has also provided its members with free magnetic van stickers which is aimed at female recruits that features a QR code that provide further information on a career in thermal insulation. TICA’s apprenticeships combines practical on-site experience with employers with developing skills and best practice at TICA’s national training centre as apprentices work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, proudly announces its achievement at the ‘FIS Training Awards’, taking home the accolade for the ‘FIS Member Training Programme’ category, after receiving commendation for its one-of-a-kind installation school. The Zentia Installation School has been recognised as an industry benchmark and forms the cornerstone of Zentia’s dedication to fostering expertise and innovation within the industry. Since its inception in the 90s, the Zentia Installation School has trained over 10,000 individuals in installing ceiling systems safely and securely. The Installation School not only provides insightful training for external contractors, but it also forms a key part of the training programme for every Zentia employee. New starters complete the course to gain a deeper understanding of Zentia’s products and the interiors industry and can book refresher courses throughout their Zentia career as new products and techniques become available. Graham Taylor, Sales & Marketing Director at Zentia celebrated the win, saying: “At Zentia we firmly believe that persistent learning and development is crucial to building a strong foundation for our industry to continue growing and collaborating. We are proud of the knowledge we have been able to share as a result of our Installation School, and even more pleased that it has been recognised by the FIS in their Training Awards.” To find out more about Zentia click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new £500,000 green energy centre in Merseyside has received the backing of Ideal Heating, as part of the company’s commitment to attract fresh talent into the heating industry. The Green Energy Skills Centre, at St Helens College, will enable heating engineers to learn the skills needed to install, commission and service air source heat pumps. It will also provide a showpiece learning environment for students at the college, supporting a broader focus on green skills and energy. As an Employer Partner, Ideal Heating has equipped the facility with a range of its market-leading products, including its Logic Air heat pump and hot water cylinder, helping installers gain experience and confidence at working with these heating solutions. It forms part of commitment from Ideal Heating to support installers in the transition to low carbon heating solutions, such as heat pumps, as well as to help to attract young people into the industry. Lewis Litherland, a Renewable Energy Lecturer at St Helens College, worked as an engineer for British Gas before making the switch into education. He said: “I’m very passionate about creating a centre like this in St Helens, as I’ve come from a similar economic background to many of our students, and I’ve been fortunate to have fallen into an industry that has provided me with great opportunities. “So, if I can play a part in providing this for more young people in a similar position, it would be a great personal achievement for me.” The Green Energy Skills Centre has been launched to meet a growing demand for skilled and qualified workers for renewable energy industries to support the drive to a net zero economy. Decarbonising homes is crucial to meet the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target but, despite this, there remains a major shortage of skilled low carbon heating engineers. Working with partners such as St Helens College, Ideal Heating is helping re-train thousands of installers to fit and maintain heat pumps. Andrew Johnson, Training Director for Ideal Heating’s parent company Groupe Atlantic, said: “To tackle the skills gap which exists in the heating industry effectively, we need a two-pronged approach. “The way we heat our homes is changing and it’s so important that existing installers learn the skills required to work with heat pumps and other low carbon solutions. “We also need to focus on attracting more young talent into the industry. They are our installers of the future and, without them, we simply won’t succeed in this low carbon transition.” The Green Energy Skills Centre is now up and running, offering a range of BPEC-accredited training courses for heat pumps. Ideal Heating’s own Expert Academy training arm is re-skilling thousands of installers to become low carbon engineers. Ideal Heating opened its National Training and Technology Centre in East Yorkshire earlier this year, as the centrepiece of the company’s UK-wide training operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prestwick North Educational Campus has come first place in the ‘Pupil/Student Experience’ category at the prestigious Learning Places Scotland Awards 2023. The South Ayrshire Council campus was up against tough opposition for the award with the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh universities also in the running. The judging panel was impressed with the agile nature of the learning spaces at the campus which support group, peer to peer and individual learning. The judges also appreciated the use of natural daylight throughout the campus which promotes a healthy learning environment. Councillor Stephen Ferry, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Education said: “This is a great achievement. We want our young people to have the best possible experience in our schools, as it’s a huge contributing factor when it comes to life beyond the classroom. I am sure the young people and staff will continue to enjoy their campus for many years to come.” Councillor Martin Kilbride, Portfolio Holder for Buildings, Housing and Environment said: “This award is such an important accolade and highlights all the work undertaken at the design stage to ensure the entire campus was full of inspirational and interactive learning spaces. I would like to thank everyone involved, particularly our Special Property Projects Team who delivered the project. Gaynor Hartley, Head Teacher of Glenburn Primary, Jacqueline McPeake, Head Teacher of St Ninian’s and Susan Cole, Manager of Prestwick North Early Years Centre commented: “We’re delighted that the campus received the award for Pupil/Student Experience. We all agree that, as leaders of schools and an EYC, this is the best award for our campus to receive as everyone involved is trying to deliver the best possible education for our young learners! Michael Ross, Chief Executive of public sector development partner hub South West Scotland said: ” Winning such a prestigious award showcases the quality of projects hub South West Scotland, our design teams and construction partners are delivering in partnership with the team at South Ayrshire Council. Feedback from pupils and staff highlights the huge benefits they have already experienced from learning and interacting in this superb new community campus. This award recognises not only the hard work of the collective team that delivered this project but also South Ayrshire Council’s vision to invest in their learning estate.” Morgan Sindall Construction’s managing director for Scotland, Stuart Parker, said: “It’s been an honour to work with both South Ayrshire Council and hub South West on delivering the Prestwick North Education Campus, who shared our vision in creating a modern, engaging state-of-the-art learning facility for the local community. Winning the Pupil/Student Experience Award is a real testament to all the work that’s gone into every element of the project, and I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone involved. We hope it’ll be a real game changer for the community and future generations to come.” Lindsey Mitchell, Architect Director at BDP said: “It’s a remarkable achievement and a true testament to our team’s commitment to ensuring high quality, innovation and collaboration in all our projects. My congratulations go out to all those involved, and I thank our entire team and our partners for all their hard work and dedication in striving to improve the learning experience for thousands of young people across Scotland.” The Learning Places Scotland Awards provide recognition of excellence in the design of educational buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
