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Conex Bänninger has donated products from its range of fittings and valves to a training academy in Edinburgh.
The Energy Training Academy opened in February and was Scotland’s latest LCL Awards-approved training centre. According to a statement, it was also the first ever in the country to operate as a social enterprise, meaning any profits will be re-invested back into the community.
The 12,000sq ft facility, which could see up to 100 new engineers attain the necessary qualifications each year, includes three lecture rooms that can each accommodate up to 15 students. There’s also interactive areas to help trainees learn more about the benefits of renewable technologies, including heat pumps and solar energy.
Ged Grimes, business unit director for Conex Bänninger in the UK and Ireland, said: “One of the biggest challenges facing the HVAC industry is a skills shortage. The opening of the first social enterprise Energy Training Academy in Scotland is another vital step forward in helping our sector tackle this.
“At Conex Bänninger, we are delighted we’ve been able to support such an important initiative, both by providing products that can used for practical installation purposes, but also working in partnership with the Academy where our expert technical team have the opportunity from time to time to share their expertise and Best Practice with students.
“The Energy Training Academy has a significant role to play in helping address the skills gap, providing a vital pathway for both young people and those looking to retrain to learn a trade that is critical to the UK economy.”
The Academy features an open floor area with multiple ‘live’ boilers on the walls connected to hot and cold water supplies, radiators and gas meters, as well as bays that replicate a home environment to help trainees gain valuable practical experience working on boilers, gas fires and underfloor heating.
There’s also a dedicated space for gas engineers to sit their Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) exams.
Ian Edgeworth, technical director at the academy, added: “The Energy Training Academy is going to make an enormous impact in the community. It’s a fantastic facility and the support offered by manufacturers like Conex Bänninger to help get us up and running has been invaluable.”
Offering training courses from entry-level to advanced certifications, the academy has the capacity to hold 60 full-time and 40 part-time courses annually.