Landmark renewables training for ex-military

EDINBURGH’S Energy Training Academy (ETA) is offering ex-military the chance to retrain in the renewable energy sector.

The ETA hopes to close the renewable skills gap by offering Scotland’s first direct route to becoming a low-carbon heating engineer to those who have left the armed forces or are planning to leave in the future.

Working in conjunction with the accreditation body the National Open College Network (NOCN), the Edinburgh-based education centre will become the first training provider in Scotland to offer the NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Low Carbon Heating Technician.

This has become possible as the ETA has entered a partnership with the Ministry of Defence’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme.

A successful transition has already been completed by ETA co-founder Andrew Lamond, who embarked on a career as a gas engineer after leaving the Royal Navy at the end of 2008.

The course will take place over two years blended with work experience and on completion, learners will have developed an understanding of how to plan, select, size, install, commission, service and maintain (including fault finding, diagnosis and repair) low carbon central heating and hot water systems, for working in the low carbon heating industry.

Andrew said: “The course is currently available in England but none of the colleges or universities in Scotland offer it.

“By making it available at the academy, we are giving people pathways directly into low-carbon heating jobs without the need to go through a traditional plumbing and heating apprenticeship.

“We know there is going to be a huge skills shortage when it comes to renewables.

“The plan has always been to upskill existing gas engineers but it is an ageing workforce who are generally not interested in retraining at the later stages of their careers.

“Currently, you have to be a heating engineer before upskilling into low carbon technology but this will be a complete programme providing a path into that sector, specifically installing air source heat pumps.”

Given his professional journey, it’s particularly pleasing for Andrew that service leavers will be the first to benefit from the new course, which is set to launch in the coming months.

He said: “Each year there are approximately 1200 service leavers in Scotland who will be transitioning into civilian life and they are the type of characters who make good quality candidates.”

“Thanks to the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credit Administration Services (ELCAS) funding is available to help service leavers on the next stage of their professional journey.

“I started out with Scottish Gas six months after leaving the Navy after going through a managed learning programme for gas.

“We’re offering similar but for low carbon heating to meet the industry changes as we transition towards a greener, more sustainable future.

“It’s a 12-month notice period to leave the MOD.

“With this available at the academy, leavers will be aware of what is out there and hopefully influence their decision going forward.”

ETA co-founder Mark Glasgow said: “Innovation was one of the key drivers behind establishing the academy and as an independent training centre we can pivot quickly to reflect the growing industry demand.

“We will be the only approved provider of this course in Scotland and it’s pleasing to lead the way in this manner. Initially open to service leavers pursuing new careers due to the funding available, we want to grow it and have it available to more people.

“With the support of the employers, it will bring more people into the trade which has to happen if we are to stand any chance of meeting the national target of decarbonising by 2045. There are real challenges ahead but we are at the forefront trying to come up with solutions.”