Funded home retrofit training for trade professionals

In the last year there has been a 50 percent increase in demand for air source heat pumps in the UK. More homeowners are switching from gas boilers to air source heat pumps to heat their homes, partly motivated by the government's £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Course details

This three day accredited course is for experienced heating installers who wish to expand their skills. The course will enable you to design, specify, install, commission and maintain air source heat pumps in domestic and small commercial settings. 

You will receive practical training on:

• purpose-built live air source heat pump rigs

You will also cover the theory relating to health and safety, industry regulations and best practice

At the end of the course, you will need to complete two assignments:

• a practical, observed assignment and;
• a multiple-choice, open book theory assessment

Those that successfully complete the course will receive an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate which is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Course requirements

To be able to join this course you will need to have the following qualifications:

• Level 3 SVQ or NVQ in plumbing, heating / ventilation gas or oil
• WRAS Water Regulations - this can be completed in addition to your air source heat pump qualification if not already obtained

More information about this course is available on the GTEC training website. 

Course details

A three day solar photovoltaic installer course for experienced domestic and commercial electrical operatives. The course will provide you with the skills to design, install, commission and maintain domestic and commercial solar PV systems. 

You will receive practical training on:

• purpose-built solar PV rigs featuring different types of modules, inverters and roof mounting kits
• live equipment within a fully functioning plant room

You will also cover the theory relating to health and safety, industry regulations and best practice.

At the end of the course, you will need to complete two assignments:

• a practical, observed assignment and;
• a multiple-choice, open book theory assessment

Those that successfully complete the course will receive an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate which is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Course requirements

To be able to join the solar PV installation course you will need to have the following qualifications:

• Level 3 award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations (BS7671) current edition
• Level 3 qualification in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations

More information about this course is available on the GTEC solar PV training web page. 

This is a three day training course for experienced domestic heating installers or plumbers who want to be able to design, install, commission and maintain solar thermal systems in residential settings, and join the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

The course will provide practical training on:

• purpose-built solar thermal rigs
• live equipment within a fully functioning plant room

You will also cover the theory relating to health and safety, industry regulations and best practice.

At the end of the course, you will need to complete two assignments:

• a practical, observed assignment and;
• a multiple-choice, open book theory assessment

Those that successfully complete the course will receive an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate which is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Course requirements

To join this domestic solar thermal installation course, you need to hold certificates for Level 2 / Level 3 SVQ or NVQ in plumbing, heating / ventilation gas or oil, as well as the following qualifications:

• WRAS Water Regulations
• Energy Efficiency Part L
• Unvented Hot Water Systems

More information about this course is available on GTEC’s solar thermal installation training web page.

This two-day Level 3 training course is for experienced domestic and commercial electrical operatives - an ideal add-on for solar PV installers looking to help their customers generate and store their own power while accessing the most attractive Smart Export tariffs.

The course covers the installation of dedicated EESS in accordance with the IET code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems. It provides detailed theoretical and practical knowledge so learners can apply the relevant regulations and guidance and safely work on battery storage systems. 

The course will provide practical training on:

• purpose-built battery storage rigs
• live equipment within a fully functioning plant room

You will also cover the theory relating to health and safety, industry regulations and best practice.

At the end of the course, you will complete:

• a practical, observed assignment and;
• an online / theory part 

Those that successfully complete the course will receive an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate which is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Course requirements

You will require an up-to-date copy of the IET Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems. This can be provided at cost price (£70) at the time of booking. 

Attendees will also need to bring the following books:

• BS 7671 Eighteenth Edition
• IET Guidance Note 3
• IET Onsite Guide

All other course materials will be provided.

This qualification is aimed at practicing electricians, electrical technicians, and engineers with experience of electrical installations and associated inspection and testing. Applicants should therefore be working in the electrical industry and have the following qualifications as a minimum:

• a Level 3 award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671 
• a Level 3 award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations or a combined award including Periodic Inspection and Testing

Visit the GTEC battery storage course web page for more information.

This Level 3 training course is suitable for experienced electrical engineers who wish to expand their services to take advantage of growth in the Electric Vehicle (EV) market.

The course covers the installation of dedicated conductive charging equipment designed for a variety of electric vehicles, including pure electric and plug-in hybrids in domestic, commercial and industrial settings. 

The course will provide practical training on:

• purpose-built EV charging rigs
• live equipment within a fully functioning plant room

You will also cover the theory relating to health and safety, industry regulations and best practice.

Assessment consists of:

• a practical, observed task and:
• an online / theory part

Once you've completed this course you will receive an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate, which is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Course requirements

To join the course, you should have experience installing electrical installations within domestic and / or non-domestic premises and hold as a minimum:

• Level 3 award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations (2391-50 or equivalent)
• Level 3 award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671:2018 current edition

Visit the GTEC training electric car charging course web page for more information.

Domestic Energy Assessors are qualified to assess the energy efficiency of residential properties of all types, performing on-site assessments to examine property-level data and to produce an associated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Who is this course for

This course is for those who don’t already hold their Domestic Energy Assessors qualification and go on to study to become a Retrofit Assessor. 

There are no qualification requirements for this course. 

Course content

The ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to produce quality property assessments on domestic properties, including collecting the property level data of the building, floorplan and to produce an Energy Performance Certificate. 

There are a total of four modules:

1. Conducting energy assessments
2. Preparing for energy assessments
3. Undertaking energy inspections
4. How to produce and explain Energy Performance Certificates

More details about this course can be found on the Retrofit Academy website.

Retrofit Assessors visit properties and carry out full property surveys. These surveys and their outputs are necessary to inform the decisions made by the Retrofit Coordinator or Retrofit Designer about which energy efficiency measures should be installed in the property.

Who is this course suitable for

This course is aimed at those who have completed the training and qualified as Level 3 Domestic Assessors.

Course content

This is an online course delivered by a TrustMark training provider. The student has several options on when to study.

The course includes:

• introduction to PAS 2035 and TrustMark
• building physics: U-values, heat gains and ventilation
• occupancy assessments: the OA process and methodology for advising consumers around inputs and calculation results
• condition assessment: site constraints, structural defects and estimating energy use and cost

You will also complete a Test Case on the final day to show your competence as a Retrofit Assessor.

For further information about this course visit the Retrofit Academy’s website. 

Retrofit Coordinators manage the PAS 2035 process throughout a project. They ensure compliance with the procurement, specification, and delivery of measures in all domestic retrofit projects.

Guiding the decision-making process, the Retrofit Coordinator protects the resident or homeowner’s interest from survey to handover.

Who is this course suitable for

You should consider becoming a Retrofit Coordinator if you have qualifications in built environment subjects, ideally at a Level 3 with a minimum of 12 credits. If you have a university degree relevant to the built environment, you already meet the entry requirements for this course. 

The role of Retrofit Coordinator is perfect for anyone passionate about ensuring sustainable and compliant retrofit projects in the UK’s housing sector.

Course course

The PAS 2035 Retrofit Coordinator Diploma Level 5 course covers the following areas:

• introduction to domestic retrofit
• retrofit quality assurance and risk management
• building physics - thermal efficiency
• building physics - managing moisture risk
• assessing dwellings for retrofit
• improvement option evaluation and medium-term retrofit plans
• improving the building fabric - floors and roofs
• improving the building fabric - walls and windows
• improving airtightness and ventilation
• improving the building services - heating, hot water, lighting and power
• improving the building services - renewable energy systems
• post-retrofit testing, monitoring and evaluation

More information about this course is available on the Retrofit Academy’s Retrofit Coordinator course web page.