PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2026 28 Training & Education


Why hands-on courses matter more than ever


Modern installers are having to work across a wider mix of products and regulatory demands than ever before. Here Verity Ovenden, head of training at Dimplex, looks at why practical product training is therefore crucial to keeping pace with changing requirements.


T


he Future Homes Standard was published in March and will come into force from


March next year for most new residential work. For installers, that means a bigger focus on low-carbon heating, system performance, ventilation, commissioning and occupant handover than ever before. In practical terms, whether


working on a new-build plot, a social housing upgrade or a private retrofit, the work now calls for more than getting products on the wall and wired in. Installers need to understand how different systems and technologies work together, how they should be set up and how they will operate once a property is occupied. Alongside product


developments, customer expectations and demand for efficient products that deliver lower energy bills are also evolving quickly. High- heat-retention (HHR) storage heaters, electric panel heaters, hot water heat pumps and ventilation systems all have their own design considerations, controls and commissioning requirements. Spending time on high-quality, installer-focused training can therefore make a real difference to day-to-day work on site.


Speaking with authority Good training shows up on-site from the moment an installer walks into a property and starts assessing what is actually needed, rather than simply quoting what has been requested. Being able to identify and specify the right solution means explaining why one product is more suitable than another and showing how the controls should be used to manage running costs and comfort. That level


Verity Ovenden Dimplex head of training


Installers who increase their knowledge are often better placed to take on a wider range of work and operate confidently in new areas


CUT TO THE CHASE


 The Future Homes Standard will mean a bigger focus on low- carbon heating solutions and effective ventilation


 Good, practical training will enable installers to respond to customer questions and avoid potential future problems


 Effective training should also cover product specification and user handover


 As well as providing access to face-to-face training, Dimplex also offers a number of CPD courses


of knowledge helps installers speak with authority and give customers practical, current advice. Training also helps reduce


future problems, because specifying the wrong product can lead to callbacks. In many cases, the product itself is not the problem, it’s often a lack of understanding around application, settings or user guidance. Quality training helps installers avoid those mistakes by building familiarity with product selection, controls and consumer handover. In a trade where repeat work and recommendations still carry huge weight, these factors can make a real difference to the bottom line. In-depth installer training


also supports better customer service, particularly as low- carbon systems may still be unfamiliar to some end users. Questions about operation and controls often come back to the installer, so it helps to have a clear understanding of the product selection from the outset. For many installers, that understanding is built most effectively through hands-on learning about the products, controls and common installation scenarios, rather


than through product literature or distance learning alone.


Better connected There is also real value in experiencing how equipment is installed, connected and configured, while also having time to ask the kinds of questions that arise on real jobs. Effective training should also cover product specification and user handover, as both form part of a system that works properly in use. At Dimplex we have continued


to invest in that approach by opening a new training centre in Leeds, adding to our four existing UK training locations and giving more installers access to free, face-to-face technical support. Courses are designed to be interactive, with attendees working directly with products and controls rather than covering just theory. The training covers key


heating and ventilation product areas and is available to a wide audience, from apprentices and new starters through to experienced contractors and larger installation teams. For businesses that need to upskill several engineers at once, training can also be delivered on-site.


There is also a suite of


Dimplex expert-led CPD courses available, offering practical insights and certification recognised by the CPD Certification Service, with some also approved by CIBSE. For example, the ‘Part F Ventilation - Domestic Buildings Compliance’ CPD breaks down the 2022 Part F update, making it ideal for those who want to learn more about compliant technologies and better understand ventilation. The ‘High Heat Retention Storage Heaters (HHRSH) – Decentralised Thermal Storage for Energy Efficient Homes’ CPD is essential for anyone specifying or fitting heating in social or private housing, as it explains how HHRSH technology supports decarbonisation while cutting running costs for residents.


Adapting to change While most installers can build successful businesses around technologies they know inside out, keeping skills current matters as the sector continues to change. New-build regulation is tightening, electrification is gathering pace, alongside ventilation receiving more attention as indoor air quality comes under closer scrutiny. Installers who increase their knowledge are often better placed to take on a wider range of work and operate confidently in new areas. Manufacturer-led technical


training, hands-on sessions and CPD modules all have a role to play for busy professionals trying to balance workload with development. The key is to build knowledge steadily so that when a job calls for a different product type, the groundwork is already in place. As standards continue to rise, keeping skills up to date remains a practical way to stay competitive. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/29


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