Installers in England can access heat pump training at a discounted rate of up to 70% until the end of March 2023 after OFTEC’s successful application for funding through the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training competition run by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The training is available through 16 OFTEC approved training centres. After completion, technicians can access the trade association’s competent person scheme for heat pumps as well as MCS registration to install the technology through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The £9.2m funding from BEIS is targeted at small to medium sized businesses to boost the number of heat pump installers in support of the UK’s net zero ambitions. OFTEC’s application was part of the association’s commitment to the rollout of renewable heating solutions whilst upholding high standards and delivering the best outcomes for consumers.
The 70% discount is available for the following OFTEC training courses:
- OFT21-504A – Installation, commissioning, and servicing of air source heat pumps (domestic space and water heating)
- OFT21-504D – Design of heat pump systems for domestic space and water heating
David Knipe, training Manager at OFTEC, commented: “This discounted training is a fantastic opportunity for installers to take advantage of the growing heat pump market. The government wants to accelerate the rollout of heat pumps which presents an opportunity for technicians to diversify and futureproof their business in a changing landscape.
“OFTEC is fully committed to delivering low carbon heating solutions to homes and businesses across the country and heat pumps have an important role to play. However, as an industry, we must uphold high standards and ensure consumers have the support and information they need to determine if the technology is suitable for their home.
“We have over a dozen OFTEC approved training centres lined up to deliver this training but the funding is only available until the end of March 2023. We anticipate high demand so we would urge technicians to get in contact with their local training provider.”
To qualify for the discount, candidates must work for a heating business based in England as part of the criteria set by BEIS. They must complete the assessment in full and receive personal certification in one of the eligible courses, following an internal verification process and technical review before final certification is awarded.
Assessments must be sat in person at the centre and pre-assessment training and training reference material can be included in the funding allocation. Candidates must meet the course pre-requisites and can check eligibility here.
Anyone interested in the training should contact one of the following approved centres that are participating in the scheme: Crownship Technical, ECS Gas Training, Focus Training Group (Newton Abbott and Sheffield), Gas Training UK Limited, Gastec Training and Assessment Centre, Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd, PGL Training, SERT Training, South West Assessment and Training, TAF Training Limited and Vaillant UK Ltd (Derbyshire, Maidstone, West Yorkshire, Farnborough and Bristol).
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