A new training initiative aims to tackle the UK’s shortage of qualified renewables installers.
- Segen opens an academy in Medway to train 1,600 installers annually.
- The training covers key technologies: solar PV, BESS, EV charging, and heat pumps.
- Courses include City & Guilds Wiring Regulations essential for domestic electrical work.
- Segen Academy addresses technical and soft skills for a sustainable future.
The renewable energy sector in the UK is undergoing significant development with the launch of Segen Academy, an initiative designed to address the acute shortage of qualified installers for solar panels, heat pumps, and related technologies. Segen, a prominent renewable energy equipment wholesaler, has partnered with New City College to open this academy in Medway, Rochester, officially starting operations on 6th November 2024.
Segen Academy’s training programme is ambitious, with a target of training 1,600 installers annually. Courses focus on crucial systems such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, and air source heat pumps. This breadth ensures installers are well-equipped to meet the diverse demands of the renewable sector.
Additionally, the academy will offer the City & Guilds 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2382-22) course. This course is a vital requirement for those engaging in domestic electrical work, ensuring that they are compliant with current safety standards. The inclusion of such essential certifications underlines the academy’s comprehensive approach to education and training.
Importantly, attendance is free for Segen’s customers, highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing industry standards without imposing financial barriers. Moreover, the curriculum extends beyond technical training, incorporating modules on finance, sales, and marketing strategies to equip installers with the soft skills necessary for business success in the competitive renewable energy landscape.
James Galloway, Segen’s global product director, emphasised the urgency of training more than three times the current number of qualified tradespeople to achieve the national target of 70GW solar deployment by 2035. He stated, “To achieve the national target of 70GW of solar deployment by 2035, the UK will require at least three times more qualified tradespeople. As the leading renewables distributor in the country, we recognise our unique responsibility to tackle this skills gap head-on.”
Segen Academy represents a forward-thinking step towards resolving the UK’s renewable energy installer shortage, fostering a skilled workforce for the future.
