Community Energy Solutions (CES) is leading the way in educating heating engineers from across the region about low-carbon heating solutions.

CES, a non-profit distributing organisation, supported by One North East and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, is providing heating installers with the opportunity to become qualified air source heat pump installers, completely free of charge.

CES chief executive Chris Leek commented: “We are in an incredibly privileged position to be able to keep our workforce at the forefront of new, greener heating technologies.

“By facilitating training for as many individuals as we can, CES is enriching the renewables sector in this region with engineers who are able to tackle the risk of climate change as well as lead the way in developing a low-carbon economy.”

The training, which is available free of charge to all central heating engineers across the North East, serves to equip those taking part with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective players within the industry when it comes to installing and advising on air source heat pumps from most of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Already, CES has successfully assisted more than 60 individuals through the intense one-day courses, which are being run at the CES/Myson Training Centre in Team Valley, Gateshead. Such is their early popularity that there is now a waiting list for those wishing to take part in the sessions.

George Cossey of Applied Heating Services, who attended a HeatKing course said: “With the introduction of government incentives as well as an increased public commitment towards low-carbon technologies, the course is incredibly useful.

“The knowledge and skills I have acquired at the training have opened new doors for us as a company, enabling us to identify and seize new business opportunities within the renewables sector.”

The courses on the Daikin, HeatKing and Mitsubishi-manufactured air source heat pumps, delivered by each manufacturer’s trainers, cover installation, servicing and troubleshooting are ordinarily £150 and last for two or more days. Furthermore, installers will be able to take advantage of the significantly discounted prices which CES is offering to all companies who complete the one-day training, with the exception of Mitsubishi which requires a further two day course at either Manchester or Livingston.

Chris Leek concluded: “Due to the recent successful tender for the supply of large numbers of Daikin, Heatking and Mitsuibishi systems, we are able to offer lower prices to heating engineers who have completed the training. This means they are able to approach the market in a strong position as the demand for renewable technologies becomes much greater.”

To book a place on a course, please contact Jonathan Cripps at CES on 0191 537 7230 or jonathan.cripps@communityenergysolutions.org.uk. For more information about CES, please visit www.cesgroup.org