MP For Richmond (Yorks), Rishi Sunak, visited GTEC last Friday to see how we are contributing to the creation of the 'Green' installers needed to meet carbon reduction targets.
At the end of last year we were awarded a bid to provide heavily discounted training and certification to individuals and companies looking to upskill into heat-based renewables, backed by The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through Midlands Energy Hub (MEH)
Named the 'Renewable Heat Installer Training & Support Scheme (RHITSS)' , the scheme offers vouchers which provide up to 70% of the cost of becoming a renewables installer.
There are currently 1,000 training places and 150 businesses signed-up to RHITSS - spaces were filled within 10 days of the schemes launch. Vouchers can be used at GTEC and also other LCL Awards & BPEC approved centres throughout the UK.
While at the centre, Rishi met with candidates to find out how training was helping them and reviewed the range of renewable technologies available at GTEC including Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal etc.
Despite Covid , and with the knowledge that there is a framework of national funding support introduced by government, GTEC has really seized an opportunity and are now a key player in the UK's national strategy to achieve Net Zero.
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
He also chatted to other industry representatives - Awarding Organisation LCL Awards, NAPIT an installer certification body, and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), all of which GTEC have worked with to make the RHITSS scheme a success.
The trip provided Rishi with an opportunity to meet a constituent company that is thriving despite the challenges of Covid-19. The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) gave us the confidence to put together the winning bid for RHITSS, a scheme which has created jobs in the local area - at GTEC and for the installers benefitting from the new business opportunities that the training has led to.
GTEC's MD, Griff Thomas is a key representative for his industry, Chairing the Decarbonising Housing Group for Richmondshire and having contributed to most of the national renewable technology standards. Griff is also called upon for training advice from much further afield - he is currently working with the British Commission in India, as part of the contries drive to de-carbonise its cities.
Rishi's visit coincided with confirmation from Midlands Energy Hub and BEIS that the RHITSS scheme has had its dealine extended to 30th Sepetember 2021. The extension was granted in recognition of the difficulties that some candidates have had in securing a place due to Covid-19 Restriction.
