New energy efficiency training funding has been made available for people resident in Scotland who have lost their jobs or are at risk of redundancy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) will be distributing funding through the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) to 9 colleges across Scotland – to allow them to upskill tradespeople and help them move into roles with better potential for future growth and job retention.
Supported by the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government, the NTTF funding is aimed at people aged 25 or over who are either facing redundancy or who are unemployed having been made redundant any date after 1 March 2020. However, training must be completed by the 31 July 2021.
It will offer training opportunities in areas with the potential for growth in the labour market with employment prospects. The energy efficiency sector will be a key focus with training available in areas such as: AS/GS Heat Pumps and solar thermal, External Wall insulation, energy battery storage, unvented hot water, metering for renewable heat Installation, online Passivhaus standards, Introduction to Digital Smart Homes, and Electric Vehicle Charging, as well as the more conventional 18th Edition Electrical Training.
Training needs to have been completed by 31 July 21. Applications can be made by an individual or their employer.
Borders College Assistant Principal Davie Lowe said:
“Borders College are delighted to be working with ESP, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government in delivering reskilling and upskilling opportunities to individual tradespeople over the age of 25 who have been made redundant due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is an excellent opportunity to retrain yourself in areas of renewable technology installation and maintenance utilising “The National Transition Training Fund”. At Borders College we are offering the following short courses:
• AS/GS Heat Pumps
• Energy Battery Storage Awareness
• Solar Thermal
• Water Byelaws
• Unvented Hot Water
• Electric Vehicle Charging
• 18th Edition Electrical 2382-18
• Introduction to Digital Smart Homes
John Renwick, from the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), commented:
“The National Transition Training Fund, in association with the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government, is another excellent opportunity for already skilled tradesmen and women over 25 years-of-age and whose employment has suffered due to the COVID -19 pandemic to retrain in renewable technology installation and maintenance as we move our nation towards a zero emissions future for heating our buildings, reducing demand for heat and decarbonising our supply and making Scotland’s homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient.”
James Dunphy, Scottish Funding Council – Director for Access, Learning and Outcomes, said:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our economy and on the employment of thousands of people across the country. Colleges will play a vital role in supporting economic recovery and providing reskilling and upskilling opportunities. We are delighted to be supporting this initiative which is being run by the Energy Skills Partnership in collaboration with colleges to deliver training opportunities in areas of potential growth that will meet the needs of employers and individuals impacted by the economic downturn.”
To find out more about the courses or funding available, for any of the courses listed above, CLICK ON THIS LINK