PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 Training & Education 33


Get to grips at Welsh green skills academy


Installers looking to expand their renewable energy expertise now have a new hub in Wales. Coleg Sir Gâr’s Green Skills Academy at the Gelli Aur campus, developed in partnership with Grant UK, offers a fully equipped, purpose-built training facility focused on air source heat pumps and sustainable heating solutions. The Academy is housed in a redeveloped 19th-century


cart house, transformed into a thermally efficient building with underfloor heating, an air source heat pump, solar PV, and modern ventilation systems. This provides installers with a real-world example of how renewable technologies can be integrated into both new builds and retrofit projects. Grant UK has supplied the facility with its latest systems, including Aerona3


and Aerona 290 heat


pumps, hot water cylinders, UFH, radiators and a solar thermal collector. These installations are used in practical workshops, giving attendees hands-on


experience with installation, commissioning and system design. Courses include the one-day Aerona 290 and Aerona3


installer courses, plus the Grant ASHP system design course. Combining classroom learning with practical sessions, the Green Skills Academy equips installers with the skills and confidence to handle modern ASHP systems in real-world settings. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/126/35


Hands-on domestic ventilation training


In partnership with Elmhurst Energy, NAPIT Training is launching a new two-day BPEC Domestic Ventilation course for electricians, plumbers, ventilation installers and heating engineers. The course is designed for tradespeople looking to broaden their knowledge and expertise in domestic ventilation systems. Participants will learn about the installation,


inspection, testing, commissioning, and documentation of fixed domestic ventilation


systems. Completing the course will qualify tradespeople to test and commission ventilation systems for retrofits and provide detailed ventilation reports alongside their existing services. This course will be offered in Mansfield, Bristol,


Oldham and Potters Bar and takes place over two days. The assessments consist of a combination of practical and theory examinations. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/126/36


Using augmented reality in heat pump training


Offering installers hands-on experience in a safe, virtual environment, Staffordshire Training Services combines traditional workshops with cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) to bridge the gap between classroom learning and first-site installations. Working with software developer Metaverse Learning, the centre created a bespoke AR package to supplement theoretical and practical learning. Heat pump trainees can


access a virtual homeowner’s property and work through the complete process of designing and installing an air source or ground source heat pump. “I wanted learners to experience what it’s like working in the real world from the safety of the centre,” says founder Gareth Hassall. “It gives them the opportunity to interact with a customer, install, commission the system, and practice fault-finding. The scenarios include built-in learning and knowledge testing to identify gaps and reinforce skills.” The centre has also partnered with Heat Engineer software to provide


(l-r) Founders Gareth Hassall and Matt Ramsell


complementary training in low temperature design, where candidates work on real-life scenarios across multiple property types. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/126/37


Book your OFTEC training now!


We understand that things are busy at the moment, but training centres often get booked up months in advance. If you need to retrain in 2026, why not secure your place now ready for the spring when things start to quieten down?


OFTEC offers a range of courses at over 100 approved centres throughout the UK and Ireland, including training in liquid fuel, solid fuel and heat pumps.


Find your nearest training centre today on the OFTEC website.


www.oftec.org PHAM-OFTEC-DEC.indd 1 21/11/2025 14:25:35


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