Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College is using the Marches Energy Fund to convert two existing farm buildings into a training centre for low carbon and renewable technologies installation at the College’s Holme Lacy Campus. As an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved centre, training will be provided to the construction industry, developing the skills required to install low-carbon technologies, including solar, ground-source and air-source heat pumps in both new build and retrofit settings.
£1,2 million Marches LEP Funding
1.5 Direct New jobs created and 20 Apprentices created (FTE)
750 New learners (students enrolled)
100 Enterprises receiving support
In order to achieve their net zero ambitions, the Government has created a number of financial incentives to support the decarbonisation of properties. However, to access funding, it is a requirement that only installers who are accredited to undertake the work by the recognised body, MCS are used. In order to receive accreditation, it is a requirement that tradespeople are trained and assessed at an MCS accredited centre, ensuring that they meet the standards set. Unfortunately, there is currently a national shortage of training centres capable of training low-carbon installers to the required, certificated standard.
This is equally true of the Marches LEP area where currently there are no other established providers undertaking this type of work. By developing an MCS accredited centre in Herefordshire, the project intends to support the development of the low-carbon industry in the Marches by training both existing and future workforce. Additionally, there are presently no established funded low-carbon installer training providers in the surrounding areas, including Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Powys and Gwent. This project will therefore also seek to support installers in these areas.
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