Drayton adds motorised valves module

Drayton has added a training module to its online training academy

9º Know How. The new addition covers the installation, wiring and testing of Drayton’s range of motorised valves, which are used for creating multiple heating zones. Wider specification and technical details are also covered.

The one-part video module accompanies other short courses on 9º Know How for an overview on installing Drayton’s most popular products, including the new Digistat, TRVs and auto-balancing TRVs, and Wiser, its smart heating control.

Drayton’s free online training academy is part of the 9° Network, which provides access to discounted products, extended warranties, and technical support. www.9network.co.uk

10 years of Options Skills

Options Skills has celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing specialist gas, electrical and renewable energy training courses.

In the past couple of years, the company has launched its in-house recruitment team and ‘job club’ to assist trainees in finding employment after training. Since 2021, it has worked with 210 UK companies to place more than 400 trainees in employment.

It has built three renewable energy training hubs, providing heat pump and renewable energy courses for gas engineers and plumbers, allowing them to future-proof their careers.

It has also received government funding to deliver free heat pump and renewable energy courses to existing plumbers and gas engineers as the country moves towards net zero.

Director and co-founder Michael Fitzgerald says: “We can’t quite believe it’s been 10 years since we opened the doors of Options Skills. To say a lot has happened would be an understatement, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Options Skills operates at four centres: Birmingham, Manchester, Wembley and Purley. www.options-skills.co.uk become MCS-registered.

Participants will have access to Vaillant’s system sales and design team, which provides advice and guidance on best-practice system design or delivers the full design. The company’s service team provides on-site support to ensure that the first installation meets the requirements and standards needed to be eligible for relevant grant schemes.

Aspire has been developed by Vaillant’s in-house team of training experts. Technologies and training director Mark Wilkins says: “The journey to decarbonisation is gathering pace and ensuring the UK’s existing installer base is upskilled on low-carbon technologies is central to achieving this.

“Aspire [provides] heating engineers and installers access to industry-accredited training for heat pump installations.” www.vaillant.co.uk/aspire

Train on electrical energy storage systems

NICEIC has added a new training course on electrical energy storage systems. The one-day classroom-based course explores the fundamentals of small-scale systems and their role in creating an ‘energy hub’ so that users can manage their energy usage.

The course covers installations with and without installed generation, such as solar PV. “This is an important new introduction,” says technical training manager Nik Mitchell.

“Many [consumers] have already taken steps towards stabilising and securing their own electricity supply by installing technology such as solar PV panels, while others are considering measures to better utilise the supply delivered by the grid.

“In either scenario, electrical energy storage systems have a pivotal role to play, and correct design and installation is vital.” www.shop.niceic.com/training