Trainee Sparkies Given Free Solar Panel Training

Trainee electricians in Nottingham are benefiting from free renewable technology training, thanks to Nottingham City Council and energy provider E.On.

E.ON’s Building Services Academy played host to ten trainees, providing them with valuable skills and qualifications for installing and maintainingsolar panels. Thanks to the free training sessions local electricians will be able to do their bit, helping to enhance Nottingham’s position as the most energy self-sufficient city in the UK.

Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Homes and E.On have joined forces in a project which will see up to 600 homes in the Aspley area of the city benefit from the installation of solar panels. The project is one of the largest domesticsolarpanel schemes in the UK. The local training scheme is but one element of the project, and gave the trainees, aged between 20 and 55, the chance to boost their working knowledge.

“This course has given me the chance to build upon the knowledge I gained at college with real-life working examples. And the best thing about it is the week’s work experience that I’ll complete as part of the course, which will help to boost my CV and put me in a better position for job opportunities,” said nineteen-year-old Tim Lowe.

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability, said the City Council wanted to ensure Nottingham’s local workforce benefited from the employment opportunities afforded by such large-scale renewable energy installations as seen in Aspley.

Emphasising the benefits the partnership will bring to the city, in terms of training, skills and jobs, Thomas Buss, Head of Microgeneration at E.On’s Sustainable Energy business, added:

“We’re pleased to be able to offer such training to ensure local electricians are properly equipped to cope with the increased popularity of renewable energy.”

To view a short film about the project, clickhere

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