Reading-based Enviromena is developing and constructs renewable energy projects in the UK and Italy. Across Britain alone, by next year it intends its portfolio to exceed 500 MW.

The firm prides itself on recruiting staff from outside the renewables sector, offering opportunities for people to diversify their skills.

Now the company is launching an apprenticeship programme which it hopes will attract a new wave of talent keen to get involved in an exciting and emerging sector.

First up is a role within the developer’s finance department.  It will combine on-the-job training at Enviromena’s head office in Grazeley, Reading, offering study to secure a Level 3 AAT Accountancy Diploma. Tuition will be delivered by accountancy training provider First Intuition in Reading.

“This is a great opportunity for a hard-working problem solver who is interested in business and finance to start a rewarding career in accountancy” said James Armitage, the firm’s financial controller.

“Enviromena is growing rapidly and this is a very exciting time to join the renewables industry. The successful candidate will study for a professional qualification while gaining hands-on work experience in our fast-paced business.”

The firm’s senior finance officials will support the apprentice’s development, in a role offering exposure to a wide range of areas within the finance function.

The apprenticeship is expected to last 18 months. Enviromena offers competitive pay, 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.  On achieving AAT Level 3, the right candidate would be supported with AAT Level 4 study.

Applicants will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English, and preferably three A-Levels at grades A to C. Good team players, they should have strong written and verbal communication skills, great attention to detail and be highly motivated.

“With students completing their exams soon and thinking of their next move, I’d highly recommend this opportunity to anyone looking to build a career in finance. There has never been a better time to join the clean energy industry and be part of its incredible growth trajectory,” said James.

A full job description is here. Applicants are invited to email their CV and a few details about why they would like to work with Enviromena.   Email those documents to ukfinance@Enviromena.com.   The closing date is 30 June 2024.

The post Enviromena seeks apprentices for solar expansion appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The star quintet showed outstanding promise among participants in the DNO’s ‘Power Among Us’ programme. They now receive apprenticeships in craft roles related to the capital’s power grid.

The ‘Power Among Us’ programme saw UK Power Networks reaching out for the first time to various youth groups across the capital, to offer work experience for young people from communities so far under-represented in the energy industry.

The initiative was inspired by the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, where significant levels of unemployment are being experienced in London. Opportunities were given to nine individuals not in employment, education or training (aka ‘NEETs’).

Participants spent two weeks in UKPN’s offices where they developed soft skills in communication and interaction with colleagues, at the same time growing to understand how the UKPN operates.

The second half of the programme saw them go out with trained engineers to see first-hand how the power network is maintained.

UK Power Networks aimed to provide interns with employability skills that can be transferred into a variety of industry sectors.  The enterprise has judged  ‘Power Among Us’ first cohort to be a success, with every intern displaying skill and determination to learn about the industry.

The regional netco, a Top 50 Inclusive Employer, has made been at pains to give opportunities to youngsters who have traditionally not considered or had difficulty in accessing careers in electrical engineering. It plans to expand the initiative to the South East and East, after the programme’s success.

UKPN’s outreach and development specialist Natasha Paramasamy was among the initiative’s leaders. “The progress and growing maturity observed in our interns are commendable, “ she noted.

“They have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly, embracing an open mindset throughout the programme. The presentations they delivered at its end reflect the positive influence it has had on their personal and professional development.”

UKPN’s director of network operations Patrick Clarke began his career as an apprentice. He added:

“I think the industry has got some way to go. It’s still not seen as an attractive industry to some young people, and certainly not to young people from diverse backgrounds.

“To make this change, fishing in many different pools is essential, so when we cast our nets there will be interest from all types of people – because the best candidates come from every part of society”.

Kamron Nicely is one of the chosen five.  “The skills that I’ve developed is learning the difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer”, he said.

“If I wasn’t offered this opportunity, I would be doing voluntary work for an electrician, which is what I was doing before this. I would say this will have a good impact on my life and change my life because hopefully, I can get to a place where I want to be.

‌”It’s going to improve my future”, Kamron added, “by giving me the experience to come across business people, working class people and build networks in the future. I’m ready to start at UK Power Networks right away to be honest. They’re saying May or September, but hopefully it will be May”.

The post Star interns celebrate UKPN’s offer of full-time roles appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Cable maker XLCC has signed papers to turn EdF’s defunct, decommissioned former nuclear plant at Hunterston, on the Ayrshire coast, into Europe’s biggest fabrication spot for high value, long distance DC cables, or ‘interconnectors’ as the jargon calls them.

Demand is booming worldwide in the cables business.  XLCC reckons its revamped factory will need up to 900 top-skilled staff.  Now it is setting up a centre to train them.

The manufacturer has signed a lease on premises in Irvine, north Ayrshire, to house a dedicated hub for passing tech savvy to the next generation.  Primed with its first students – pictured, the training hub will be in full swing by June.

Underpinning XLCC’s ambitions is its relationship to Essex-based Xlinks, the giga-project using £16 Billion from investors including Octopus Energy and its boss Greg Jackson among others, to port current from southern Morocco’s solar & wind farms via four 3,000 kilometre DC links under the Atlantic littoral, linking with Britain’s National Grid on landfall in north Devon.

Xlinks announced last month that industry alumnus James Humfrey is to be its new CEO.

XLCC’s lease on its 12,500 sq ft training site in Irvine was secured with the support of Scottish Enterprise, which provided a £200,000 grant towards its fit-out. The new centre will be XLCC’s main training hub for its cable jointer apprentices and workers in the Hunterston factory.

The specialist firm says the training centre’s location offers chances to develop relationships with employers in Scotland’s industrial south-west. These, says XLCC, can benefit to become the foundation of its preferred suppliers when the Hunterston factory reaches peak output later this decade.

The first cohort of the cable-maker’s skilled tradesfolk for tomorrow began their courses in October. Apprentices are working toward NC, HNC or HND in Electrical Engineering accreditations, depending on previous qualifications, and on day release. The course has been designed in partnership with Ayrshire College.

Recent board level appointments at XLCC include engineering leader Vegar Syrtveit Larsen’s arrival as its chief technology officer.

Company operations director Alan Mathers said: “The Irvine facility gives us a platform to deliver a very high standard of training for our apprentices, with a focus on cable jointing.

“We are proud to be playing a central role in stimulating economic growth in north Ayrshire and making a positive difference to community life.”

Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, said: “We continue to work closely with XLCC as it seeks to address the growing global demand for HVDC subsea cables, themselves crucial for the energy transition. The establishment of this new Training Centre is an important milestone as the company seeks to deliver its ambitious plans for Scotland, by helping to ensure it has the highly skilled workforce it needs now and in the future.

“This transformational project also provides significant economic opportunities for the local supply chain in Ayrshire and beyond.”

Frank Mitchell, chair of Skills Development Scotland, said: “Ayrshire has a long and proud history of passing on skills through apprenticeships. In investing in these fantastic new facilities, XLCC are offering future generations of local talent a direct route into high-quality enduring careers. This project demonstrates the value that forward-thinking employers place on apprenticeship pathways, generating the skills needed to deliver a Zero Carbon future”.

The post Cable builder launches in-house Scots centre to train apprentices appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Credit plans removing the need for multi-thousand ££ of upfront costs for homes are the firm’s intended master stroke in its goal to wean households off carbon-heavy gas.

The firm’s chairman Harald Mix laid out Aira’s pledge to decarbonise the UK at the Global Investment Summit at Hampton Court, attended by premier Rishi Sunak.

He is the latest heat pump boss pledging to inject momentum in Britain’s sluggish uptake of air and ground-source pumps, the latter requiring excavations and new pipework.

The nation still relies on 25 million fossil fuel boilers to heat homes, together accounting for 16% of CO₂ emissions.

 Sunak’s administration remains committed under its Boiler Upgrade Scheme to ramping up heat pump installations to 600,000 annually by 2028.   Concerned that installs currently run at less than a tenth of that figure, the government earlier this year increased to £7,500 its subsidy for the new technology.

To remedy another drawback, Britain’s shortage of skilled pump installers, Aira is investing in training centres in London and in Sheffield, the latter following its purchase of All Seasons Energy.   From a current UK payroll of 200 staff, the company plans expansion so it can serve one million UK homes.

Aira’s group CEO Martin Lewerth  said: “The UK is a crucial market to decarbonise, being one of Europe’s most populated countries and with the lowest heat pump penetration rate of just 1%.

“We are confident Aira’s innovative offering, which includes substantial consumer cost savings, no need for lifestyle changes, and a zero upfront payment model, will be well-received. We are here to accelerate the important transition from dirty gas boilers to clean heat pumps.”

Daniel Särefjord, the company’s UK CEO, said: “Heat pumps are four times more energy efficient than gas boilers and will help people reduce their heating bills by 25%. The Government has confirmed that over 90% of UK homes are suitable for a heat pump.”

Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said: ‘’Families should not have to choose between cutting costs and cutting emissions which is why we increased our Boiler Upgrade Scheme by 50% to £7,500 grants – making our scheme one of the most generous in Europe“.

’It’s fantastic that Aira is investing £300m in the UK heat pump market,” the minister continued.

“Their investment will also create 8,000 new jobs here in the UK, growing our economy and helping us make the green transition.” 

The post Swedish heat pump maker commits £300 million to UK, intends 8,000 jobs appeared first on theenergyst.com.

The transnational nukes-to-offshore-wind combine positions itself as Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity.

Two years ago it took a minority stake in the 23-year old Clacton, Essex based ASHP-maker. Their partnership boosted CB Heating’s skilled workforce fivefold in its first year, training an extra 370 engineers.  Full ownership is expected to yield still more. The purchase price was not disclosed.

As deployment of air- and ground-sourced extractors of low carbon energy lags woefully behind the government’s target of 600,000 per year by 2028, EdF’s move coincides with D-ESNZ’s recent 50% boost to the household pump subsidy.

It now offers householders £7,500 per home ASHP installation.  Extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme by three years until 2008 is Whitehall’s supporting incentive.

With the Future Homes Standard set to ban installation of gas boilers in new homes after 2024, and a total ban on gas boilers by 2035, both acquiror and acquiree intend today’s consolidation to slash waiting times. EDF wants these to drop by half from their current three to four months.

The deal will also see EdF putting a dedicated team in place to deliver heat pumps to homes.

A major challenge confronting the government’s overarching decarbonisation strategy is a dearth of qualified heat engineers.

According to economic consultancy Nesta, Britain needs 27,000 qualified technicians to meet that target of delivering 600,000 heat pump installations every year by 2028.   At present only 4,500 qualified installers earn a living from heat pumps in the UK,^,compared to more than 150,000 gas safe engineers.

Since August 2022, EdF’s partnership with CB Heating has aided development of the Heat Pump Installers Network (HPIN) Academy, delivering free training nationwide to upskill engineers at every level.

In consequence, heat pump installers under training have risen from 90 experts to 463 now. The Academy has capacity to train 4,000 new heat pump installers every year.

Clayton Browne, managing director of CB Heating, said: “Now we have has the resource to continue to grow our HPIN venture, already the largest network of qualified trained heat pump installers in the UK.

“We plan to train over 1,000 heat pump installers in 2024, meaning a quarter of all estimated heat pump installers in the UK will be a HPIN member.

Philippe Commaret, EdF’s managing director of customers said: “The investment we’re making in the heat pump market is representative of all the work we’re doing to help Britain achieve net zero.

EdF’s rival, Octopus, now Britain’s second-biggest energy supplier by account volume, bought Craigavon -based pump manufacturer RED in April 2022.

The post EdF buys heat pump maker CB Heating appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Energised with the sum stumped up by the eight-year Faraday Battery Challenge, the project – labouring under the moniker DEBUT-WM – or the even worse Digital Enhanced Battery Ubiquitous Training-West Midlands –  yokes experts from arguably Britain’s most automotive-friendly universities, local government and industry to deliver pioneering level 2 and level 3 training.

University College Birmingham, WMG at the University of Warwick, Cranfield University and commercial firm RAVMAC will jointly deliver it, supported by partners including Jaguar Land Rover. DEBUT-WM runs for 18 months, starting next month.

The project leader Rosa Wells heads University College Birmingham’s School of Engineering, Digital & Sustainable Construction.

She said: “DEBUT-WM is vital in supporting our region, as well as contributing towards wider Net Zero ambitions. As a university that delivering education from apprentice to postgraduate level, we are in a unique position to lead this project, providing a sustainable training model that meets the needs of learners, employers, wider industry and our region”

The programme will offer an ambitious blend of traditional physical training alongside advanced immersive digital technologies such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality.

Learners will be taught skills across battery manufacturing, repairing, recycling and reusing that will support them in roles such as technicians, production, maintenance, engineering and quality assurance.

RAVMAC are Alvechurch-based advisors on digital-enhanced manufacturing, including for vehicle and transport engineering.  Technical director Mark McNally observed: “DEBUT-WM builds on established leading regional technical expertise and capabilities.

“Our digital learning environments will be core to the design of the training programme, enabling learners to navigate the whole battery manufacturing process.”

As part of DEBUT-WM, the partners will target industry organisations, functions and individuals directly involved in fostering a workforce’s  expertise in relation to batteries.

The programme will use kit and knowledge developed by Warwick Uni’s WMG unit, already used in cutting-edge battery research, in manufacturing and in wider electrification.   These dovetail into broader accreditations provided by the National Electrification Skills Framework, an initiative spearheaded by WMG. Learners will thus acquire marketable, recognised skills in electrification systems.

WMG’s dean Professor Robin Clark said: “Up to 91% of all automotive manufacturing roles require some electrification training. The electrification revolution is expanding at pace to sectors such as rail and aerospace.

“With up to 80% of Britain’s workforce for 2035 already in work, the filling of electrification roles will depend on us delivering higher level skills through training programmes such as DEBUT-WM.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street chipped in: “This is a project with tremendous potential – supporting our region’s priorities whilst ensuring local people have the skills they need to succeed and secure high quality job opportunities in the months and years ahead. Together, we can offer the chance for residents to up-skill in preparation for the jobs and economy of the future.”

DEBUT-WM has established the Battery Training Advisory Group (BTAG) to input into the ongoing development, delivery and future of the programme.

Other partners include the West Midlands Combined Authority, Microsoft, Delta Cosworth, Manufacturing Technology Centre, and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology.

The post Brum, brum: Birmingham colleges gets £1.2m to spark up new automotive battery skills appeared first on theenergyst.com.

By 2028, the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy aims to have instals running at 600,000 a year.  A meagre 35,000 devices were installed in 2020, as Covid lockdowns bit.

New research into installers’ working practices released today by a committee of systems practitioners at the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council finds that Whitehall’s numbers need more steam pressure built up behind them.

From its investigations, the HHIC’s systems group concludes that around 150,000 installation workers – not 50,000 – may be necessary to meet the government’s target.

The implied figure of 100,000 new recruits to be attracted to design and fit heat systems is close to the total of all qualified technicians named on today’s national Gas Safe Register, the researchers point out.

“The industry is at a pivotal point”, declared committee chair Steve Keeton. ”With an ageing workforce and more demand for modernised skills, we must look to new entrants as fundamental to providing the solution”.

Whitehall too must seek new ways of spurring heating engineers to upskill into renewable technologies, Keeton added. Attracting younger people to the industry, and determinedly adding low-carbon technologies to their skills portfolios were the cornerstone of achieving Britain’s emissions goals.

No single silver bullet exists to purge carbon from Britain’s heating systems, the industry body acknowledges.  Hydrogen-ready boilers, – pictured –  favoured as one low carbon solution once gas-only boilers are banned from new homes after 2025, should already be featuring on training programmes, the HHIC believes.

The government’s promotion of hydrogen to heat homes in future is backed by UK manufacturers’ ‘price promise,’ Keeton notes.  In other words, new boilers installed in 1.7 million homes each year could be switched over at no cost to consumers.

“If Britain is to successfully meet our 2050 ambitions, heat networks and hydrogen must be part of the strategy, in tandem with heat pumps,“ the training spokesperson added.

“We must work from the grassroots up in order to create the bedrock of multi-skilled installers to successfully decarbonise the heating economy.”

For more about the research, visit the HHIC Website here.

The post Triple pressure: Britain “may need 150k heat pump installers this decade, not 50k”   appeared first on theenergyst.com.

Designed to help industry professionals throughout the data centre and network infrastructure sectors looking for one-to-one guidance regarding their own professional knowledge, certification and qualification progression, or next steps regarding recommended professional development activities to help boost their careers. It will also be valuable for those looking to enter the industry, to discuss and explore the best route to take.

The service is headed up by the experienced CNet technical team, Paul Gorman and Pat Drew who, between them, have over 60 years of experience within the data centre and network infrastructure sectors.

Making use of the new service is quick and easy, individuals just complete a simple online form on the CNet Training website, and a member of the team will be in touch to liaise directly with the individual to provide free advice and guidance.

The launch of the Education Advice Service will also help to tackle the industry’s on-going skills shortage by providing information on education pathways to help get people into the industry and to give industry professionals the confidence, support and information to help them excel in their career within the digital infrastructure industry.

Andrew Stevens, president and CEO, “We are excited to launch the Digital Infrastructure Education Advice service. With such a huge amount of technical expertise in-house here at CNet we wanted to provide the opportunity to share this with industry professionals to help their own knowledge and career progression as well as help those that may be considering entering the industry. Paul and Pat have so much valuable experience and knowledge that can be used to genuinely help people, so this is just a little way CNet can help give back to those in, or thinking about joining, the industry.”

The post CNet Training launches digital infrastructure education advice service appeared first on theenergyst.com.