Daikin UK is encouraging heating installers to register for valuable training vouchers funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
This follows the announcement, in October 2013, of the details of a £500,000 fund to provide training for the installation and maintenance of heating based renewable technologies.
Heating installers who have undertaken accredited training will be able to apply for MCS certification and take advantage of the expected increase in heat pump installations which is anticipated when the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme starts in spring 2014.
Companies can apply for up to five vouchers, worth up to £500 each, for installers to undertake accredited training courses. The vouchers will cover 75% of the training cost up to a maximum amount of £500. Once issued the vouchers need to be redeemed by the training centre within three months.
The scheme is designed to support existing heating and plumbing installers to undertake renewable heating training. A separate scheme is available for companies to support their apprentices with training in renewable technology.
Householders will be able to apply for the domestic RHI scheme which will provide a quarterly payment for seven years based on the amount of renewable energy produced. At the start of the scheme, air-water heat pumps will be eligible for a tariff of 7.3p per kWh.
Daikin UK have a series of courses which are eligible for the voucher scheme including, ‘Installation and Commissioning: Generic Air & Ground Source and Daikin Altherma LT’ and ‘Service and Inspection: Generic Air & Ground Source and Daikin Altherma LT’.
These courses are accredited by EAL, the specialist employer-recognised awarding organisation for the engineering, manufacturing, building services and related sectors. The courses include important generic information about heat pumps, as well as specific technical details of the Daikin Altherma air-water heat pump. These courses are recognised by MCS Certification Bodies for the purposes of proving specific competencies and are currently available at the College of North West London, PGL Training in Exeter, and at Dudley College.
Daikin UK has joined forces with The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies to create its first national Manufacturer Hub. This was the first hub, developed by the Skills Academy in conjunction with a national supplier, to provide bespoke training for Daikin products. The College of North West London, PGL Training in Exeter and Dudley College are training providers within the hub.
Peter Verkempynck, managing director, at Daikin UK, said: “We are pleased that the government is supporting installer training in the renewables industry. Along with our own investment in training programmes, the additional funding will help to provide more places to upskill the workforce in preparation for the RHI scheme. Support, such as this, will help achieve the Government’s target of 20% of the UK’s energy provision to be sourced from renewables by 2020.”
Daikin UK provide a range of renewable heating products suitable for the UK housing market including the Daikin Altherma LT Split, Daikin Altherma High Temperature Split air-water heat pump, the Daikin Altherma LT Monobloc air-water heat pump, and a range of pressurised and drainback solar thermal systems.
