Green energy skills centre appoints low carbon expert

A green energy microgeneration technologies training centre in Bromborough has appointed Joe Martin to head up the centre and drive its business development.

Low carbon energy expert Martin, who previously worked for Envirolink Northwest and as the climate change programme manager for Lancashire Economic Partnership, will focus on developing the heat pump and solar PV training courses at the Green Energy Training Centre on Wirral International Business Park.

The GETC opened in the summer last year and is a partnership between the Skills Funding Agency and two Wirral-based firms who are both are putting cash into the project: Stiebel Eltron, a German-owned renewable energy product manufacturer, and Scientiam, a training provider based in Birkenhead. A total of £280,000 was invested into the centre.

Martin said: "There is still a lack of knowledge and understanding about renewable energy and how it works, that we are addressing at the GETC. We offer BPEC accredited training which is approved for MCS certification for heat pumps and solar PV, which enables tradesmen to install renewable energy technology. As the centre is backed by global manufacturer Stiebel Eltron all our equipment is the most up to date available, and we ensure that all training is hands on as well as theory, so installers can see exactly how the technology works.

"With the Government's Feed in Tariff for solar PV installations and the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive this summer for heat pumps, there is an increasing demand for renewable energy. Therefore it is essential that we have a skilled workforce ready and able to take advantage of the opportunities available in the green sector."

One of Martin's first projects is the launch of half day renewable energy awareness courses at the Green Energy Training Centre.

The courses will start next month for anyone in the property sector wanting to know more about renewable energy, its benefits and the incentives available.

Martin added: "The awareness courses will address many of the basic issues that businesses and public sector organisations need to know. It will be very useful for people such as architects, builders, property developers and social landlords, giving them advice and the right contacts to be able to not only meet low carbon legislation, but fully take advantage of the financial benefits of green energy.

"We are also holding our next three day solar PV training course from September 6 to 8, and still have places available for firms wanting to take advantage of the boom in solar installations."

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