Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram officially opens the new facility
HybridTec today officially opens the first of its kind green academy in Liverpool City Region, as part of a £1m investment into upskilling tradespeople in the latest sustainable technologies and preparing a future workforce in line with the Government’s mission of reducing carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
As leaders in energy training and the green agenda, HybridTec’s green academy will welcome 140 apprentices and over 1,000 experienced heating engineers looking to upskill in the latest green technologies in the first year alone, including air source and ground source heat pumps, solar thermal hot water, and underfloor heating.
Located within a newly refurbished floor at HybridTec’s existing headquarters in Aintree, measuring 27,000 sq ft, the green academy gives apprentices of all ages – including those starting out in the industry or those looking to upskill – the opportunity to join its advanced apprenticeship training schemes, which will prioritise the development of green skills for more sustainable jobs. The green academy will also be vital to ensuring a smooth transition to a more environmentally-friendly economy, helping workplaces meet the demand for green skilled workers, and adding to the 680 businesses HybridTec has already serviced with fully qualified apprentices throughout the last 12 months.
Proudly based in the Liverpool City Region, and operating across the UK, including Greater Manchester and Cumbria, HybridTec is leading the way in delivering accredited, industry-led energy training to build a future workforce (NIC, EIC, BPEC), providing an unrivalled one stop shop for all sustainable training and certifications.
Sophie Gilmore, managing director at HybridTec, said:
“We are firmly aligned with the ambitions of Mayor Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in leading the way to achieving net zero by 2040, and I am extremely proud that our innovative new green academy will contribute to the vital upskilling of tradespeople in the latest sustainable technologies across the region. The green academy demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the net zero agenda – and will prepare a future workforce for careers in the green economy, ensuring no one in our industry is left behind.”
Officially opening the green academy, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“If trains, docks and canals made our area a leader in the First Industrial Revolution, then I believe our world-leading strengths and natural assets in wind, tidal and hydrogen can make us a leader in the Green Industrial Revolution – and I want to ensure we’re in the best position to attract the many thousands of green jobs and training opportunities it will bring.
“I’ve set our region the ambitious target to reach net zero by 2040 – at least a decade ahead of national government targets – and I believe we have the skills, capabilities, and political will, to smash that goal. To help us get there, we need local organisations, like HybridTec, to match our ambition by creating the training opportunities that will give our residents the skills they need to succeed in a key industry of the future.”
Alan Wilcox, mature heating engineer at HybridTec, aged 66, attended HybridTec to upskill in the new green tech. He said:
“When I was training as an engineer, it was different. But now, everything’s changed – the training provided is really educational. There’s no age limit either, it doesn’t matter how old you are as long as you’re willing to put in a bit of time. We never stop learning, no matter how old you are – there’s always new things like this new low carbon heating technology, which is great.
“It’s exciting how the Government is investing in this new technology, meaning it’s important for workers of all ages to sign up to the courses here at HybridTec and invest in their skills.”
Oliver Rudd, aged 19, apprentice at HybridTec, said:
“Learning and working alongside older peers has definitely had a positive impact on me. They share their industry knowledge and experience. They also take a real pride in their work and their level of professionalism is something I aspire to.”
For more HybridTec information visit Website, follow on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram or call 0151 524 2951.
For more DIB news, click here.
