NAPIT and West Nottinghamshire College have formed a collaborative partnership to create a stronger, more effective pathway into qualifications within the building services, renewable energy and low carbon sectors. Both based in Mansfield, they aim to help students and employees wanting to take advantage of the opportunities available across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
NAPIT is based on Mansfield’s Pleasley Vale Business Park where it provides electrical courses, as well as training in technologies such as heat pump, battery storage, EV charging and solar PV installations. West Nottinghamshire College delivers air conditioning and refrigeration training at the same site, which also serves as an end point assessment (EPA) centre for plumbing, heating and refrigeration apprentices and holds City & Guilds approved EPA provider status.
The partnership between the two organisations will create access to relevant work placements and apprenticeships, establish clear progression routes for semi-qualified electricians and low carbon heating engineers, and offer full time learners a direct pathway into the industry. It will also create opportunities to upskill existing electricians, enabling them to enhance their skills, deepen their industry knowledge and expand into emerging areas such as renewable energy.
Working with NAPIT, West Nottinghamshire College aims to strengthen its training in renewable energy systems, retrofit and energy efficiency. The aim is to equip learners with both the knowledge and hands-on skills required to meet changing industry needs. Learners can access the NAPIT CPD platform and the NAPIT Foundation, which are designed to support students with resources including access to a technical helpline, helpful articles, best practice guides and webinars.
West Nottinghamshire College Principal and Chief Executive Andrew Cropley said:
“Working with NAPIT will help us engage with a number of local and regional businesses, many of them at the forefront of clean and low carbon energy, and support them in recruiting and developing their workforce. It will also enable us to equip our students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight needed to become highly employable by NAPIT’s member businesses.”
NAPIT’s Commercial and Compliance Director, Stephen Melton, added:
“We are keen to promote the benefits of employing apprentices and the opportunities available to electricians and installers of low carbon technology, especially given the drive towards heat pumps and solar PV in recent government announcements such as the Warm Homes Plan and the Future Homes Standard. The partnership agreement between NAPIT and the college will help to create a stronger, more effective pathway into qualifications within the building services, renewable energy and low carbon sectors.”
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Rob Shepherd (author)
Rob is Consulting Editor for InstallerELECTRIC. He is a well-respected journalist with a strong history in the electrical sector.
