“Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and electrical battery storage are increasingly becoming a part of the modern electricians’ world,” says Jenny Cryans, Training Manager at SELECT, the trade association for the electrical contrasting industry in Scotland with around 1,250 members. The organisation delivers training courses to more than 3,500 electricians each year.
Keen to offer its members the opportunity to train in the installation of these complimentary energy generation and storage systems, SELECT sought GTEC’s expertise to set-up LCL Awards’ Solar PV & Battery Storage qualifications, including the delivery and installation of purpose built test-rigs which trainees use for the practical element of the course.
Recent pilots of the Level 3 courses were successful, Jenny Explains: ”With places limited to 12 people per course, both pilots were fully subscribed shortly after being made available, which just goes to show the demand that exists”
“The feedback SELECT received has been very positive; learners showed great interest in the technology and its potential”
The feedback SELECT received has been very positive; learners showed great interest in the technology and its potential.
Jenny Cryans - traning manager at SELECT
Griff Thomas, MD for GTEC and the trainer during the pilots, was also extremely pleased: “The course went really well, with a range of candidates who were obviously keen to get out and start fitting low carbon energy generation and storage systems.”
SELECT is currently running the second batch of pilot courses at its own training centre on the Bush Estate in Midlothian. Following that, they have organised sessions in Glasgow in May and in Dumfries in June. More courses will be arranged in the months to come, as demand dictates.
SELECT has been planning to deliver renewables training for a while now; Jenny explains: “From a personal point of view, it was great to see the courses finally being rolled out. We’ve spent a long time searching for the right solution for members and judging from the feedback, GTEC certainly seem to have ticked all the right boxes”.
This situation is providing an exciting opportunity for electricians and it’s great to see influential and trusted trade associations like SELECT taking the steps to ensure its members have access to the very best training.
Griff Thomas - Griff Thomas, MD for GTEC
“GTEC is a leading provider of renewable training in the UK, with tutors who are expert figures in the industry. Partnering with GTEC gives SELECT the confidence to know that all our members are being trained to the highest industry standards.”
Griff added: “We’ve been delighted to help SELECT set-up Solar PV and Battery Storage courses. More and more consumers are looking for low carbon and cost-effective ways to generate their own electricity. Rising energy prices and uncertainty of supply have really fuelled demand for photovoltaics in recent years. When combined with a battery, end-users can get closer to an ‘off-grid’ scenario and make significant savings on their electricity bills.
“This situation is providing an exciting opportunity for electricians and it’s great to see influential and trusted trade associations like SELECT taking the steps to ensure its members have access to the very best training.”
For more information about SELECT and the work it does to support electricians in Scotland, please click here.
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