Specialist Liverpool training provider HybridTec has secured £1m in Government funding to provide training in green energy installations such as heat pumps. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool training provider HybridTec has won £1m of Government cash to set up ‘green bootcamps’.

Working in partnership with another training provider, B2W Group, HybridTec will offer training in the installation of green energy systems. These include air source and ground source heat pumps, solar thermal hot water, and underfloor heating.

In April, HybridTec revealed it was investing £450,000 to upgrade its north Liverpool facilities. This includes the creation of a 3,100 sq ft ‘green academy’.

Gas, electrical and plumbing training venture HybridTec operates an 11,000 sq ft training centre in Aintree. Over the past 12 months the firm has offered training to 680 businesses and seen 150 apprentices successfully achieve their qualifications.

Its latest expansion will mean it will have the capacity to provide services to more than 1,000 businesses and be able to accommodate 80 people a day. HybridTec will provide courses in gas, electrical and plumbing, as well as renewable energy, to existing trades people and those who wish to start a new career.

With this new funding from the Department for Education, HybridTec and B2W Group will support businesses and job seekers in offering new skills. Sophie Gilmore, managing director at HybridTec, said: “It’s our mission to help businesses and out of work individuals across the city region to achieve their goals and career aspirations.

“This funding will enable us to deliver our programme effectively and efficiently. The heating industry is changing, and engineers will now have the opportunity to upskill and future proof their businesses thanks to our green bootcamp.”

The programme has been designed by ‘engineers-for-engineers’. It can be completed around other work commitments. The funding is also part of a wider £3m Department for Education investment.

Claire Lee, business development director, at B2W Group, added: “This initiative will provide vital new skills for those looking to access a career and those looking to upskill or re-skill across the renewable energy sector.”