College students have been praising our bespoke green skills training course and “amazing” training bays.

Our state-of-the-art bays give learners practical experience of working with low-carbon and energy-saving technologies such as heat pumps. The accompanying Level 2 course, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies, offers a comprehensive introduction to fossil fuels, global warming, building regulations and working with live systems.

One of the plumbing students who took our course at London South Bank Technical College, Dylan, said Quantum Group’s training stood out from other courses thanks to the focus on green energy and the practical training available. 

I’m a hands-on person and the ability to work on systems which involve sustainability was amazing

Dylan, plumbing student

He added: “In college I’ve been able to go over renewables and sustainability but it wasn’t in depth [like Quantum Group’s course is]. I’d heard that in this course [by Quantum Group] we’d learn about heat pumps and solar, so that ties into plumbing, which I’m going into. Everything is moving to sustainability and renewable energy, so I thought this would be a good course.”

Describing what attracted him to our new course, he said: “The fact that this course involves air source heat pumps and solar thermal, as it’s going to be a major factor in my plumbing in the years to come.

“The most interesting part of the course for me was the practical side of things. I’m a more hands-on person, and the ability to work on systems which involve sustainability and new technology was amazing. I learn more when I’m doing something, not when I’m watching it on a screen.”

Practical

Fellow student Dillon said: “This is the first course I’ve taken in sustainable energy. As a plumber, I want to know as much as I can about the industry and new technologies. If you understand more, you have a better insight into the construction industry as a whole.

“I liked this course because it was hands-on and there was more of a practical aspect.”

Dillon has clear ideas on how this experience will elevate him from rivals in his plumbing career, saying: “Because new technologies are coming into play more and more in different places, not only industrial but domestic, it will help me to have an understanding of these.”

Similarly, he was impressed with how the course helped him build on his existing knowledge. He said: “I’ve learnt bits and pieces from other courses, but this course brings it as a whole.”

He concluded: “With the knowledge I’ve gained, I can move into sustainability and renewable technology. If I have a customer who wants to move on to something that’s new and green I’ll be able to advise them. I get to stand out now.”

Net zero

A third student, Josh, said: “This is my first course in this sort of technology. It’s in depth [and] very detailed. I’ve done my Level 2 plumbing before. 

“The Government is implementing net zero for global warming and climate action and what we need to do to address it. It’s so important.”

Our Level 2 course is assured by City & Guilds and was developed in partnership with Daikin UK. You can learn more about how we’re helping close the green skills gap at cityandguilds.com/news

Learn more about our training bay installation at Stockport College at thequantumgroup.uk.com/quantum-training-praised/

Find out how we can support your college’s green curriculum at https://fe.thequantumgroup.uk.com/

Our team is more than happy to answer your questions. Please email Jade Husson, Business Development, at jade@thequantumgroup.uk.com

Communities across the country are now benefiting from a share of £165 million in government funding to enhance training opportunities in their area and plug local green skills gaps. 

The money – from the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) – is being distributed up until 2025. 

The green skills sector is facing a major skills shortage, amid surging demand for engineers who can install and maintain low-carbon technology such as heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers. Another 400,000 green roles will need to be filled to build this net zero energy workforce of the future, according to the National Grid. 

Many organisations and further education colleges are now looking to deliver a new ‘green’ curriculum – and the Quantum Group is here to help. 

Training bays

We have already supported a number of colleges to ramp up their training programmes.

This includes installing our state-of-the-art training bays. These give students hands-on experience of working with low-carbon tech such as heat pumps, solar PV and electric vehicle chargers. 

We have also created a bespoke and complementary Level 2 training course, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies. This course is assured by City & Guilds and was produced in partnership with eco-heating technology brand Daikin UK. 

Meanwhile, our Train the Green Trainer Academy supports college tutors and lecturers to upskill and improve their own knowledge. 

Our team can advise on the most cost-efficient solutions for your college and support you to meet the LSIF revenue and capital spend deadlines put in place by the Government.

‘Amazing’

Students who took part in a trial run of our Level 2 course at London South Bank College (LSBC) last summer and used our training bays have praised the learning. 

One participant, Dylan, said: “The ability to be able to work on systems which involve sustainability, new technology, that’s coming into plumbing was amazing for me. I’m a hands-on learner, I will learn more when I’m doing something.”

Another student, Josh, said: “I’ve done my Level 2 Plumbing and this course has a lot more information, it’s very detailed. 

“The Government is implementing net zero and this [training] will give me a head start on the knowledge I have to learn about before it’s actually law.”

Knowledge

As well as installing nine training bays and running our Level 2 course, LSBC has also taken part in our Train the Green Trainer programme.

Tim Weston, Director Career Pathways, STEAM, said: “Our electrical and plumbing teams were really impressed by the knowledge and passion of Quantum’s trainer. Looking forward to further renewables training with you.”

Another of our college partners, London South East Colleges (LSEC), has installed our training bays at its Bromley campus, as part of a new state-of-the-art Green Skills Lab funded by the Department for Education. 

You can learn more about LSEC’s lab by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiuEecevRI

Quantum Group’s Jade Husson, Business Development, said: “We offer the most comprehensive solutions for training bays, courses and trainer support. 

“Our hands-on training bays give students practical experience of working with low-carbon technologies – these practical skills are important for a successful future career as an installer. 

“Together with our college partners, we are helping to address the green skills gap.”

Our team is happy to answer your questions and share more information. Please reach out to Jade at jade@thequantumgroup.uk.com

You can also learn more about our training packages on our new microsite at fe.thequantumgroup.uk.com 

Funding to help plug the green skills gap is now being allocated to colleges – and Quantum can help educators offer training that will help students to secure work in this growing sector. 

The money is from the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF). This was created to provide investment in the skills needed to support local labour markets. A total of £165 million of LSIF funding is being distributed up until 2025. 

The shortage of engineers who are trained to install and maintain low-carbon and renewable energy technologies is a major challenge for the UK as we transition towards a cleaner, greener future. 

An estimated 400,000 roles will need to be filled to meet net zero targets and build a green workforce, according to the National Grid. Around 260,000 of these jobs will be new roles and the rest replacing those who have left the workforce.

Experience

Quantum’s Jade Husson, Business Development, said: “Any college teams who are receiving this funding and would like to expand the green skills training they offer, or expand into this sector, can contact me about how we can help. 

“We have created a custom-designed green skills training course for college students. This has been assured by City & Guilds and is a wonderful introduction to green technologies. 

“We also have state-of-the-art training bays to give students practical experience of using low-carbon technologies. This complements the theory they learn in the classroom. 

“Finally, our ‘Train the Green Trainer’ Academy helps tutors enhance their skill set and gain the necessary expertise to teach the next generation.” 

Quantum’s City & Guild assured course, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies, is the first of its kind and was created in partnership with Daikin UK. It covers fossil fuels and their impact on the environment, legislation and knowledge about greener, energy-saving technologies such as air source heat pumps. 

Knowledge

One student, Dylan, who took part in a pilot session of the course said: “I’m a more hands-on person and the ability to be able to work on systems which involve sustainability, new technology, was amazing. I’m a hands-on learner, I will learn more when I’m doing something.”

He added: “With the knowledge I’ve gained from Quantum’s course, I can move into sustainability and renewable sources of technology. Many plumbers nowadays only know the old stuff that isn’t renewable. I get to stand out now.” 

The training bays that complement the course are already a key element of the new Green Skills Lab unveiled at London South East Colleges’ Bromley campus in September. 

Meanwhile, our ‘Train the Green Trainer Academy’ is dedicated to equipping trainers and tutors with the necessary expertise to deliver renewable energy courses.

Our team is happy to answer your questions. For more information, contact Jade at jade@thequantumgroup.uk.com

Quantum’s experts are taking part in a special series of green skills webinars to help college students learn more about sustainable technologies. 

Trainers Steve Skinsley and Richard Love will be sharing their knowledge and showcasing our state-of-the-art training bays, which provide practical, hands-on experience of working with renewables such as heat pumps. 

The webinars – hosted by the Local London Green Jobs and Skills Partnership – will help
the students understand the importance of reducing emissions, sustainable developments, the future of energy supply and use, and the drive for net zero. 

Steve will be discussing electrical vehicle charging and battery storage, while Richard will cover air source heat pumps and solar thermal. 

Demand

Quantum’s Curriculum Development Manager Liz Howard said: “These green skills webinars are a great opportunity to educate students about the importance of adopting greener technologies and the growing demand for people with these green skills. 

“The UK is facing a major green skills gap, so sustainable technologies are a great career path for young people.

“Our unique, state-of-the-art training bays are also ideal for learners because they can put into practice the theory they have learned in the classroom. Students have told us that hands-on learning really helps them, plus they get real experience of installing the technology.”  

The webinars are for around 60 construction, design and surveying students who attend the 12 colleges that form part of the Local London Green Jobs and Skills Partnership.

These colleges include London South East Colleges’ Bromley campus, which has installed our training bays in its new Green Skills Lab.

The webinars will be held on Teams and we hope to participate in more. 

The first session with Steve was recorded on 1 November, with the second with Richard being recorded on 16 November. 

The sessions can be viewed at locallondongreenskills.com/useful-resources/webinars/

Courses

Quantum has also created a special green skills training course for college students, which is City and Guilds assured. The course, Sustainable Energy Technologies, was designed in partnership with Daikin UK and offers a comprehensive introduction to renewable technologies and their application in the built environment. 

You can also learn more about training bays on our website and contact our team to find out about offering our course and training booths at your college.  

To learn more about the full range of training courses and facilities we offer, for students and experienced engineers, visit thequantumgroup.uk.com/training