Smart Energy Training is opening its doors to prospective gas and heating engineers – with the help of a major name from the world of darts.
The rapidly growing training provider has staged launch events at new sites in Nottingham and Stourbridge, and is planning to host an open day at its longest standing training centre in Ashbourne.
Smart Energy Training was launched in April 2025 when parent company Realise Training Group acquired Smart Gas Training and Assessment Centre in Ashbourne.
Since then, Smart Energy has acquired further sites across the UK and is now planning a summer of open events as it moves to expand its training offering to gas, plumbing, heating and renewable energy professionals, as well as those looking to enter the industry.
Nottingham kicked off the open days with a launch event, with Smart Energy’s Stourbridge location following suit last week and an open day being held at Ashbourne on Wednesday August 28.
All of the events feature the chance to take on former world champion and current Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster at darts, with the chance to learn more about the apprenticeships and other training courses on offer.
Paul Drew, Director of Smart Energy Training, said: “The first open days have been a real success and we are confident the others will all follow suit.
“Having Mark Webster in attendance certainly brought some additional excitement to the events and it was great to see so many businesses and learners coming in to find out more about what we are able to offer.
“We are part way through a major expansion plan which has seen us acquire a number of new training centres in quick succession, with plans for more to follow.
“We are fully committed to providing opportunities for current and future heating engineers, as well as new recruits to the sector, across the country and equipping them with skills they need to not only go about their daily work today but also to flourish in an ever-changing industry.
“As well as continuing the excellent programmes the teams at our newly acquired sites have been offering for many years, we will also expand the offering by rolling out apprenticeships and other training programmes to help deliver a carbon neutral future and meet demand for electric vehicles (EV), solar energy and air source heat pumps.
“Our aim is to further bolster the pipeline of skilled professionals, helping to meet the growing demand for green skills and trades, driving job creation and contributing to meaningful environmental impact across the country.”
Smart Energy Training’s 2026 acquisitions have been Energy Training Centre in Nottingham, Stourbridge’s Elements Training & Assessment, Brookhouse in Yorkshire and Swat Gas in Redditch.
Paul added that Smart Energy Training remains on the lookout for further acquisition opportunities for other training providers and would welcome contact from owners of relevant business who may be interested in selling.
Smart Energy Training became part of the Realise Training Group in March last year. Realise is one of the largest training providers in the UK, offering apprenticeships and adult skills programmes to more than 18,500 people each year.
Meanwhile, Realise Training Group was acquired by AQA in October last year, becoming an independent subsidiary of the not-for-profit education charity.
Visit www.smartenergytraining.co.uk for more information.
