Institute unveils HETAS Solid Fuel & Biomass Training Centre

The Grimsby Institute has unveiled the HETAS Solid Fuel & Biomass Training Centre, the first phase of the brand new Engineering and Renewable Energy Centre, which will offer some of the foremost training of its kind in the United Kingdom.
This exciting new facility, based at the Institute's Nuns Corner Campus, is the first training centre in a Further Education establishment to be approved by HETAS, the official body recognised by Government to approve biomass and solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services including the registration of competent installers and servicing businesses.
James Branney, Grimsby Institute Group's Head of School for Plumbing, Gas and Electrical Installation, is delighted that the Institute will be able to offer students the rare opportunity to train using the latest equipment in a real-life environment, James said:
"The completion of this phase of the facility will see the Institute offer training and assessment in the installation and maintenance of wet and dry solid fuel stoves and biomass boilers, this being the first phase of the larger Renewable Energy Centre, which is being developed jointly by the departments of Construction and Engineering.
"We will now be able to offer our clients training and assessment which, on completion, will allow them to have their details added to the HETAS Register, which is the solid fuels equivalent of the Gas Safe Register."
The centre was officially opened by HETAS' Training Manager, Andy Mathews, who had travelled to Grimsby from Cheltenham for the occasion, Andy said:
"This is a superb renewable training centre and HETAS are very proud to be a part of the training that will take place here, and today I have come here to present a plaque and officially open the centre.
"HETAS are delighted to be a part of the Grimsby Institute and to be able to offer our training products. It's a wonderful thing that students are going to be taught superior knowledge of the safe installation of biomass boilers and renewable technologies, which will lead them into industry and give them experience and knowledge to reduce the carbon impact that has been created by the use of fossil fuels."
The Grimsby Institute Group's Vice Principal--Curriculum & Quality, Graham Towse, attended the opening and spoke of the importance of the new training centre.
"The facility that we've opened today is a key component in our renewable energies strategy, which we'll be investing in significantly over the next few years. The Grimsby Institute is all about creating realistic working environments for our students, using the most up-to-date technologies.
"We've been generously sponsored by local and national companies in the creation of this fantastic centre, that has enables us to bring engineering and renewable technologies together.
"The key advantage here has been our embedding of the facilities in the overall running of the building. Rather than just demonstration units, each piece of training equipment is also contributing towards heating, lighting or powering the centre, so the students get a real feel for how this equipment is used in real life."
Thanks went to HETAS, RN Mechanical, Flue Solutions, Brocklesby Estates, Euroheat, Grange Reproductions and the Institute's Plumbing & Gas Tutor, Cris Whitcombe, and all of the staff at the Grimsby Institute who spent a great deal of their personal time in preparation for the opening.
For more information on any of the courses that will be available in the new Renewable Energy Centre, please contact the Grimsby Institute's Information Centre on 0800 315 002.