Samsung Climate Solutions has joined forces with Your Energy Your Way (YEYW), to back the launch of a trainee scheme which is designed to help boost the number of trained low carbon heating installers in the UK.
The scheme is designed to help close the skills gap by attracting a more diverse pool of technicians into the profession, especially women. By providing more supportive learning environments and access to a range of role models the hope is this new traineeship will forge an alternative path for those wanting to re-train or enter the industry.
The trainees were welcomed to Samsung House and Training Centre in Chertsey for an induction day to kick off their traineeship, learning about the industry as a whole and Samsung’s experience within it.
Leah Robson, Managing Director of Your Energy Your Way, said:
My personal experience is one of becoming an accidental expert in the low carbon heating installation business. Over the past 10 years, assisting with and then running my own firm has taught me more than any MBA or College course ever could. We wanted to create a course that trained you to install high-quality integrated low carbon heating solutions, drawing on electrical, plumbing, technical, design, software, sales and customer service skills.
The recruitment of the trainees was supported by Greenworkx, a recruitment company that focuses on jobs in sustainable and low carbon energy. Through a staged process of applications, interviews and a final assessment day with a range of tasks at the City Plumbing Training Centre, three successful applicants have been selected.
Leah added:
We think we have found a solution, by designing a training programme that is rooted in real world experience, combined with payment of the Living Wage to bring new entrants of all ages and backgrounds into the industry. And we are very, very excited to be launching the traineeship with our first trainees.
Samsung will provide training, support, and product awareness to all of the trainees as well as fulfil an important mentorship role. With a two year commitment of learning on the job, and formal training via BetaTeach’s Learning Experience Platform, trainees will develop their skills in the installation of heat pumps and solar panels, and learn from the Your Energy Your Way team across installation, customer service and maintenance.
Aimee Holloran, Heating Business Development, Samsung Climate Solutions, said:
This is such an exciting time to be in the low carbon heating business and we need to do all we can to attract more diverse new talent for the future of the industry. I am personally very proud to be a part of this scheme as a mentor to one of the trainees, and fully support Leah in her important mission to help close the skills gap. Samsung Climate Solutions has worked with Leah for nearly ten years, and we hope that by supporting these trainees through their journey on this pilot scheme, we can encourage more people to upskill in low carbon heating as the UK works towards hitting its decarbonisation targets.
At the end of the course, the trainees will be peer assessed by Your Energy Your Way staff and other recognised industry professionals to confirm that they are industry ready.
For more information about Samsung’s training, click here.
