Academy will train over 300 green engineers
February 13th 2008
A partnership between leading manufacturer Worcester, Bosch Group and Wales’ largest skills centre, the Wales Connaught Academy, will help train more than 300 renewable energy engineers this year.
The link-up comes as Connaught launches a specialist course on ‘green energy’ systems installation. Already providing training across the rest of the UK, Worcester, Bosch Group has provided the solar technology to enable the Connaught Academy’s own staff to deliver the training programmes in Wales and will help meet demand for the growing interest in green energy systems.
The newly-opened Connaught Academy in Caerphilly trains people in trades such as plumbing, gas and electrical work, as well as health and safety related courses. Connaught trains staff for its own social housing management business which operates in Wales, and also for external clients including local authorities, housing associations and small and medium enterprises.
Phil Bunce, Worcester, Bosch Group training manager said: “There was a gap in our organisation’s activity in Wales and with Connaught’s Welsh Academy being the largest independent training centre in the country, we took the opportunity to cooperate to capitalise on their expertise.
“Providing solar technology will ensure that all trainees are all competent in the supply and fit of Worcester approved equipment.”
Huw Evans, regional training manager at the Connaught Academy in Caerphilly commented: “The Academy will train a thousand people this year in a variety of trades. We expect that with the growth in sustainability, the number of people training in renewable technology will increase year on year. Linking with a leading manufacturer such as Worcester, Bosch Group will enable us to to deliver the best possible service and equipment to our clients across Wales.”
Connaught’s compliance division was recently strengthened with the £91 million acquisition of Caerphilly-based National Britannia Holdings, a UK leader in white collar health and safety services.