Our expertise in green skills and technology has been applauded by Stockport College, where we have installed nine state-of-the-art training bays that will give students hands-on experience of working with low-carbon technologies.
Nine bays were installed over only two weeks at Stockport, which is part of the Trafford College Group. Students there will now be able to learn about low-carbon, energy-saving and renewable technologies through interactive and immersive classes.
Quantum Group’s staff have been supportive and knowledgeable.
Stewart Quayle, Construction Lead at Stockport College
Stewart Quayle, Construction Lead at the College, said: “Regarding green skills and technology, we are staying at the cutting edge for new, high-demand industry skills.
“We have been advised and informed by the Quantum Group, whose staff have been supportive and knowledgeable, on the future requirements for industry.”
In the new Green Technologies Hub, students can learn how to install and maintain air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and electrical vehicle charging systems.
Qualifications
Stewart added: “They [Quantum] have given us a fully installed product in a timely, effective way that will enable us to expand our curriculum offer while meeting the needs of Greater Manchester and wider employers.
“We can now offer the ‘Low Carbon Heating Technician’ apprenticeship standard and a range of bolt-on courses, as well as upskilling qualifications required by industry.
“Quantum has also developed a qualification assured by City and Guilds for study programmes at Level 2 and they support delivery by providing staff CPD.
“It’s an excellent investment in future skills and technology.”
Opportunities
Quantum Group is working with colleges across the UK to help meet the “soaring demand” for green skills engineers.
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner, added: “We were delighted to complete this important project for Stockport College in double-quick time. As part of the exercise we also installed the water, waste and electric services for the bays. All we needed was a floor plan and a clear space to install the training bays.
“At Quantum Group we strongly support the need to upskill and educate learners in green construction skills. Notably, these renewable training facilities go hand-in-hand with the Level 2 course we created, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies. This course was developed in partnership with Daikin UK and is assured by City and Guilds.
“Our aim is to help people embrace opportunities linked to sustainability – there is a soaring demand for green technology and engineers who can install and maintain this technology. Learners can acquire the necessary skills and understand how renewable energy is pivotal in reaching net zero targets.
“Together with our colleges and partners, we are creating the workforce of tomorrow and driving the acceleration towards a cleaner, greener world.”
Our Level 2 course and training has been developed in partnership with Daikin UK.
Learn more about our training packages for further education colleges at our dedicated microsite, fe.thequantumgroup.uk.com/
Our team is happy to answer any questions. Please email Jade Husson, Business Development, at [email protected]
Looking to learn something new in 2024? Here’s why you should consider our LCL green skills training courses…
The green skills sector needs to recruit 400,000 workers between now and 2050 for the UK to meet its net zero goals, according to research by the National Grid.
And one in three UK job postings now requires green skills, LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report has revealed.
But demand is vastly outstripping supply, especially when it comes to workers qualified to install low-carbon technology such as heat pumps, solar PV and electric car charging points.
UK homeowners and businesses are increasingly adopting green energy and heating technologies – MSC data shows there were 220,500 certified installations in 2023.
This marks the most successful year for small-scale renewable installations since 2008, when records began to be kept.
Grants
Heat pump uptake remains high, thanks in part to the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants to homeowners and businesses looking to replace a fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump.
It was announced on 18 December that another £1.5 billion has been committed to the scheme.
But there are only 3,000 trained heat pump engineers in the UK, according to social good charity Nesta, and at least 27,000 qualified engineers will be needed by 2028.
Our specialist training course is helping to address this skills gap. It is ideal for learners from a heating background who would like to upskill.
Plus, heating engineers who take our LCL Awards Level 3 course, which covers the installation and maintenance of air source heat pumps, could qualify for funding support.
Up to £500 can be claimed to cover the cost of heat pump training as part of the Government’s Heat Training Grant. Our team can advise on your application when you sign up for our training.
Quantum Group Managing Partner Maria Gonella said: “The decarbonisation and renewable energies sector is growing rapidly. You can advance your employment prospects and be part of a rapidly growing workforce that focuses on sustainable growth and the transition to a net zero world.
“At Quantum Group, we specialise in providing opportunities to learn green skills through our range of courses. Our experienced trainers will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully install and maintain in-demand green technologies.
“Funding help is also available to help you upskill. Contact our team for more information.”
Our team is happy to answer any questions. For more information email us at [email protected] or call 01708 528240.
The Quantum Group’s state-of-the-art renewables training facilities and courses have been highlighted in a major report to the Department for Education about work to address the green skills gap.
Quantum’s equipment enables students to learn about the design, installation and maintenance of in-demand decarbonisation technology such as solar panels, heat pumps and EV charging.
Climate challenge
The report also praises the Level 2 qualification we created as a “good introduction to renewable technologies”. Our course, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies, is assured by City & Guilds and was launched in the summer. This training was created in partnership with Daikin UK to help train the workforce of the future and address the green skills gap.
The qualification “covers installation, service, maintenance, commissioning and fault-finding”, notes the report. It adds that our course also looks at “wider aspects of understanding the climate challenge, energy transition and the commercial skills required for the workplace”.
Quantum’s training for professionals looking to upskill and green careers educators is also mentioned as part of a list of “top-level recommended training”.
Increasing the number of people trained in such energy-saving technology and green industries is a feature of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy.
The Quantum Group has made collaboration and engagement with further education colleges and leading technology providers such as Daikin a priority.
Skill sets
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner, said: “It has been a wonderful journey collaborating with further education to support the growth in renewable training and local green skills so far. My engagement with industry stakeholders and attending LSIP [local skills improvement plan] meetings has enabled a productive dialogue between education providers and employers.
“It is important to speak openly about the challenges we face within local economies, which is supporting new entrants to the workplace with highly practical and technically competent skill sets. It is imperative that these skill sets evolve at the same pace as renewable technology advancements.”
The report was produced by Crystal Associates on behalf of Local London Green Jobs and Skills Partnership – a collaboration of more than 13 FE colleges, over 30 employers and 11 local authorities. The report has been submitted to the Department for Education.
The team at the Quantum Group is delighted to announce that we are a sponsor of this year’s Skills London exhibition – the UK’s largest jobs and careers event for young people.
We are sponsoring the Construction and Engineering Zone and our team is looking forward to meeting attendees, educators and their families. At our stand, we will sharing our knowledge, passion for sustainability and renewables and information about our training courses and facilities.
A student at London South East Colleges learns about energy-saving technology using a Quantum training bay
The event is at ExCel London on 24 and 25 November and will offer up to 35,000 jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships under one roof.
Our team and exhibition space will be giving our visitors information about how Quantum is helping accelerate the UK’s drive towards achieving net zero through our training courses and state-of-the-art bespoke training facilities.
We will also be taking part in a workshop, ‘The acceleration to net zero by closing the skills gap’. This will demonstrate how we have identified collaborative solutions to addressing the growing green skills gap and have developed training facilities and courses that help students, their tutors and professional engineers.
Education
College tutors who visit us can learn about how we can support the education of the green skills workforce of tomorrow, to help meet the growing demand for engineers who work with low carbon technologies.
The course 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.
We will also have demonstration units at our stand showcasing our state-of-the-art training bays for colleges. These allow students to gain practical experience of using green technologies and complement the theory they learn in the classroom.
Our training bays are a key element of the new Green Skills Lab unveiled at London South East Colleges’ Bromley campus in September and have proved a hit with students there.
Expertise
Our team will also be discussing our ‘Train the Green Trainer Academy’ – our specialist facility dedicated to equipping trainers and tutors with the necessary expertise to deliver renewable energy courses.
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring Skills London this year and can’t wait to see everyone at our stand.
“The decarbonisation and renewable energies sector is growing rapidly. It offers many opportunities to advance your employability and be part of a rapidly growing workforce that focuses on sustainable growth and the transition to a net zero world.
“At Quantum, we specialise in providing opportunities to engage in learning about green skills. Our training courses will equip you with lifelong practical skills in renewable technologies. We strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing immersive and hands-on renewable training experiences through our innovative range of products, courses and services.
“Through our collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the evolving renewable energy space, enabling us to design optimal low-carbon systems for the built environment and provide training on the latest industry technologies. Together, we are driving the transformation towards a greener future.”
Landmark legislation designed to help deliver net zero has now become law – and the passing of the Energy Act 2023 is being hailed as “great news” for the green energy sector.
The reforms – described by the Government as the “biggest piece of energy legislation in the UK’s history” – aim to deliver a more efficient energy system by boosting investment in clean energy technologies and support thousands of skilled jobs.
The Energy Act – which received Royal Assent on 26 October – also includes new consumer protections and frameworks.
Solutions
Quantum Managing Partner Maria Gonella said: “The new Energy Act 2023 is great news for the green energy sector and a welcome step in the UK’s transition to net zero.
“We need to decarbonise our energy system. Our mission at Quantum is to help create a cleaner, greener world for future generations, by designing green technology solutions and training the workforce of the future on how to install and maintain this technology, such as heat pumps.”
New measures include allowing Ofgem to set rules on excessive pricing and incentives for the heating industry to invest in heat pumps.
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: The Energy Act is the largest piece of energy legislation in a generation.
“The Act also supports our new approach to make sure that families don’t feel a disproportionate financial burden as we transition to net zero, and forms a central part of our efforts to keep people’s bills affordable in the long-term.”
Training
Quantum’s training offering includes an LCL Awards Level 3 course on how to maintain and install air source heat pumps.
Quantum’s state-of-the-art renewable training facilities are taking centre stage at the new Green Skills Lab unveiled at London South East Colleges’ Bromley campus.
Students at LSEC Bromley explore the new Green Skills Lab
The innovative learning space is designed to give students the skills needed to help fill the green skills gap as the UK moves towards net zero and more renewable sources of energy.
Our Managing Partner Maria Gonella attended the 12 September opening of the lab, which features specialist training booths developed and installed by Quantum’s engineers.
Maria said: “We owe it to the next generation, our children, to do what we can to try to put right our misunderstandings and help create a cleaner, brighter future.
“The equipment allows students to get practical, hands-on experience of working with air source heat pumps, solar thermal, solar PV, battery and electric vehicle charging, to complement the theory they learn in the classroom.
“At Quantum, we are creating our tomorrow in a number of ways, including the design of these booths across five renewable technologies – air source heat pumps, solar PV, solar thermal, battery and EV charging.
“We have then broken this down further into three practical elements which can be taught using the new training booths adopted by Bromley in the Green Skills Lab. These are a fully working system; a student installation, service and maintenance booth; and a fault-finding booth.
“I’m delighted to see these bespoke facilities installed here at London South East Colleges’ (LSEC) Bromley campus and I’m sure they will be of huge benefit to students. Students who have used them before have told us how much they enjoy the practical learning.”
Curriculum delivery
Nick Cocks, Director of STEM at LSEC Bromley, said: “The team at Quantum has been amazing. We have an excellent Green Skills Lab supplied by them, which will be an integral part of us delivering a meaningful and engaging curriculum in the coming years.
“The wrap-around package of events and trips organised, and by, Quantum will be so beneficial to our students. These will include Digital Construction Week and Future Build, for example.
“Collaborating with Quantum on the curriculum delivery via their ‘Train the Trainer’ programme is also key to making this work for all who study here at LSEC.
“I look forward to working closely with Quantum to help address the green skills needed for the 21st century.”
More than 130 electrical and plumbing students attended the launch event and visited the lab, which is one of the first in the region.
Fossil fuels
Quantum’s training booths complement our new level 2 training course, Sustainable Energy Technologies, which is City & Guilds assured and has been launched in partnership with Daikin UK.
This first-of-its-kind course is designed to give young people and career changers an introduction to green technologies.
The training covers basics such as fossil fuels and their impact on the environment, understanding energy supply and sources, legislation, building guidance and regulations, and knowledge about greener energy solutions such as air source heat pumps.
We hope a pilot scheme will be rolled out by LSEC following a successful test run of the course with students in July.
One participant, Dylan, said: “At college we had a brief module on sustainable energy and renewables but it wasn’t as in depth as this course… it allowed me to be more hands-on with the new technologies coming into the world, whereas with my [other] level 2 course was rushed and just theory – we didn’t have this hands-on approach.
“I’m a more hands-on person and the ability to be able to work on systems which involve sustainability [and] 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.”
Quantum’s innovative training facilities and work to address the UK’s green skills gap will be highlighted at the EHPA Forum, major European conference this month.
Maria Gonella, Quantum Managing Partner
Our Managing Partner, Maria Gonella, is speaking at this year’s European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) Forum, the theme of which is ‘Advancing REPowerEU in a Heartbeat: the Heat Pump Accelerator’.
Maria said: “I’m thrilled to be speaking at this year’s forum in Brussels. It will be a great opportunity to discuss what we are doing at Quantum Group to address the green skills gap and our innovative renewable training facilities.
“I’ll also shed light on our partnership with Daikin UK and further education colleges to upskill the next generation of low-carbon engineers.
“Please reach out if you’re attending the event and would like to have a chat.”
Maria will be speaking during a session on 28 September, entitled ‘From manufacturing to installation: Shaping skills partnerships for the heat pump market’.
Maria added: “At Quantum, we understand that addressing the green skills gap is critical in tackling the climate emergency. To ensure our current and future workforce feel confident, competent and knowledgeable about the world of renewables, we must ensure it all starts from the most impactful source – our education.
“It has been a pleasure to partner with UK colleges and work together to provide an opportunity that bridges the gap between theory and practice through our immersive and hands-on renewable training offerings. We owe it to the next generation our children to do what we can, to try to put right our misunderstandings and help create a cleaner and brighter future.”
The conference will highlight the EHPA’s roadmap for the industry, the EU Heat Pump Accelerator, a document which lays out the barriers to heat pump adoption and proposed solutions. The strategy was developed with industry, government and NGOs and was presented to EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in June.
The European Commission’s REPowerEU plan has already set out ambitious targets for heat pumps, including doubling installations annually.
Ms Simons will deliver the keynote speech at the forum.
The event programme also features discussions about the role of heat pumps in the transition to a low-carbon economy, maximising heat pump market opportunities, building a financial framework for heat pump market expansion and driving decarbonisation in buildings.
For more information about the forum, being held at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place on 27 and 28 September, please visit https://hp-forum.eu/
More UK households and businesses are installing heat pumps than ever before – more than 3,000 per month on average, fuelling a heat pump skills gap.
There were 17,920 heat pump installations in the first six months of 2023, according to MCS data, with nearly a quarter of a million households expected to adopt renewable energy by the end of the year.
However, there is a shortage of qualified installers – it is estimated there are only 3,000 trained heat pump engineers in the UK but at least 27,000 will be needed in the next six years, according to social good charity Nesta.
Plus, heating engineers who complete our three-day course also qualify for funding support of £500, under the Heat Training Grant initiative.
The qualification is acceptable to all MCS providers and will train you to become a competent and confident air source heat pump Installer, allowing you to grow your business and support the decarbonisation of heating systems.
The rise in demand for heat pumps is partly being fuelled by Government grants for installations – in England and Wales, you can claim £5,000 towards an air source heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
SCHOOL students face tough decisions about what to do next after receiving their exam results – but green skills company Quantum is here to help.
With the UK facing a major challenge to fill the skills gaps needed to meet climate targets, there are an increasing number of career opportunities in the green skills and renewables sector – and Essex-based Quantum is one of the country’s leading providers of energy-saving and decarbonisation training.
Our new City & Guilds Assured Level 2 training course, Sustainable Energy Technologies, the first of its kind, is designed to give young people and career changers an introduction to green technologies.
The training covers basics such as fossil fuels and their impact on the environment, understanding energy supply and sources, legislation, building guidance and regulations, and knowledge about greener energy solutions such as air source heat pumps.
The launch of the new course is in partnership with leading eco-heating technology brand Daikin UK. It is hoped a pilot scheme will begin at London’s South Bank College in September, with further roll out at NCC London soon. Students at South Bank enjoyed a preview of our new course in July, including hands-on training using our bespoke renewable training facilities installed at the college.
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner, said: “The decarbonisation and renewable energies sector is growing rapidly. You can advance your employability and be part of a rapidly growing workforce that focuses on sustainable growth and the transition to a net zero world.
“At Quantum, we specialise in providing opportunities to engage in learning about green skills. Our training courses will equip you with lifelong practical skills in renewable technologies. We strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing immersive and hands-on renewable training experiences through our innovative range of products, courses and services.
“Through our collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the evolving renewable energy space, enabling us to design optimal low-carbon systems for the built environment and provide training on the latest industry technologies. Together, we are driving the transformation towards a greener future.”
Martin Passingham, Product and Training Manager at Daikin UK, added: “The renewable energy sector is a huge growth area as fossil fuels are being phased out for heating. Skilled workers are desperately needed to help meet the country’s ambitious net zero and heat pump installation targets.
“This first-of-its-kind course we’re launching in partnership with Quantum will tackle the national skills gap and create a clear path for college students into an industry with so much opportunity.
“Over its 15-year lifespan, switching from a fossil fuel boiler to an air source heat pump can save homeowners more than £3,000 when compared to a gas boiler, more than £6,000 compared with oil and more than £9,000 compared to LPG – including the initial purchase and installation, maintenance and running costs.
“Students on this course will be able to learn more about the huge potential of renewable forms of heating like heat pumps to reduce energy usage and bills in the home and they’ll be ideally qualified to play a key role in the future of renewable heating technology.”
If the country is going to meet its ambitious net zero targets, we need to train thousands of people each year to install and maintain low carbon heating such as air source heat pumps.
Quantum also offers a wide range of courses for experienced heating and plumbing engineers and apprentices. Our LCL Awards and Daikin-accredited courses cover a number of green technologies, from heat pump installation and maintenance to hot water systems and safety.
Our training courses are also among the very few designed to offer practical, hands-on lessons that complement the theoretical content. This takes place using our custom, state-of-the-art demo booths.
More than 200,000 people will need training for green energy roles by 2050, according to PwC research, while leading independent think-tank the Green Alliance has estimated about 300,000 more skilled workers will be required, comprising both new tradespeople and upskilling existing workers.
There are only between 3,000 and 4,000 heat pump engineers in the UK, according to innovation charity Nesta, but another 5,000 to 7,000 will be needed every year until 2035 in order to meet the UK Government’s target of increasing annual installation of heat pumps to 600,000 by 2028.
Meanwhile, a ban on the installation of gas boilers in new homes comes into effect in only two years, further increasing the need for skilled decarbonisation technology installers.
More than two-thirds of homeowners – 68 per cent – are unaware that heat pumps are significantly more efficient than gas boilers, research by Daikin has found. Gas boilers operate at 70 to 90 per cent efficiency compared with 300 to 400 per cent for heat pumps. This means heat pumps are both better for the environment and leave households less vulnerable to gas price increases.
As well as offering training to help fill the skills gaps to install and maintain green technology and create a net zero workforce, the Quantum Group also provides bespoke energy-saving and low-carbon system designs and installations for the built environment, such as heat pumps.
Our company’s mission is to leverage our deep industry expertise to consistently deliver the most efficient sustainable energy solutions and training opportunities available.
We strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing immersive and hands-on renewable training experiences through our innovative range of products, courses, and services.
Through our collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the evolving renewable energy space, enabling us to design optimal low carbon systems for the built environment and provide training on the latest industry products.
A student uses one of Quantum’s Renewable Training Facilities during a preview of our new course at London’s South Bank College on 20 July
Together, we are driving the transformation towards a greener future
The Quantum Group was established in 1997 and is now a leading decarbonisation specialist and renewables training provider. We offer bespoke energy-saving and low carbon system designs and installations for the built environment. In parallel, our renewable training business provides a range of training products and services dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net zero workforce. By equipping both students and engineers with the necessary green skills we aim to contribute to achieving our broader net zero climate ambitions in the future.
Daikin UK is an eco-heating technology brand leading the industry in providing innovative indoor climate management solutions, such as heat pumps, to reduce environmental impact. As part of the global Daikin Group and with almost 100 years of experience, Daikin has built a worldwide reputation for quality and technology, developing heating solutions that create comfortable and sustainable interior environments for everyone.
In 2020, Daikin launched itsEnergy for Change campaign, which aims to educate consumers on the benefits of heat pumps and promote their installation – helping the UK move to a more sustainable future. As part of its Energy for Change campaign, Daikin has created the Sustainable Home Network to provide top quality, free heat pump training to installers across the UK, helping them futureproof their businesses and support the UK’s transition towards green energy.
Additional information on Daikin’s pioneering technology can be found on its website, alongside details on why choosing a heat pump could help reduce UK homes’ carbon emissions.
