Mitsubishi Electric has opened a new training center at its factory complex in Livingston, Scotland, in answer to the UK’s growing demand for heat pumps. The new center is poised to revolutionize the training landscape for professionals in renewable heating.
The center was officially opened on 15 May, 2024, with key government and industry figures attending. This included: Graeme Day MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Tadashi Fujiwara, the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh.
accredited heat pump installers
Over 1,000 people per year can be trained as accredited heat pump installers at the new Livingston Center
With the UK government aiming for 600,000 residential heat pump installations per year by 2028, there is a growing demand for skilled and accredited heat pump installers. Legislation, including funding, by the Scottish Government and demand from homeowners and businesses to replace fossil fuel boilers with more sustainable forms of heating, such as heat pumps, is helping to drive growth for more installers.
Over 1,000 people per year can be trained as accredited heat pump installers at the new Livingston Training Center. As well as hands-on training, Mitsubishi Electric has developed Virtual Reality (VR) training opportunities giving installers a new and innovative way to learn and understand the workings of heat pumps.
Installation of Ecodan heat pumps
From the Livingston Training Center, Mitsubishi Electric is also able to support local colleges and schools in training in renewable heating.
To mark the opening of the Livingston Training Center, Mitsubishi Electric is offering free training at the center over the next three months for installers who wish to complete their Parts 1, 2, and 3 training in the design and installation of Ecodan heat pumps, or who would like to attend a practical, hands-on workshop at the Livingston center, for all Scottish registered installation companies.
Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment
Russell Dean, Mitsubishi Electric Residential Product Group Director, said: "Heat pumps have become the de facto renewable heating and hot water system for homes. As such, there is an urgent need for trained and accredited heat pump installers."
He adds, "Offering hands-on training, including using pioneering VR technology, and based at the Livingston factory complex, the largest manufacturer of heat pumps in the UK, trainees can be fully immersed in the world of heat pumps. They will leave here having developed their skills and advanced their career opportunities to install heat pumps."
Russell Dean continues, "The Livingston Training Center reaffirms Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to investing in decarbonized heating and in developing a local workforce to bring about a greener sustainable future."
Other clean heating technologies
Further Education Minister - Graeme Dey, said: "Clean heat and energy efficiency will be vital in meeting our ambitions to achieve net zero both in Scotland and across the world. As part of this, it is important that the Government continues to work collectively with industry, public and private sectors to help scale up the workforce needed to install heat pumps and other clean heating technologies."
Graeme Dey adds, "I have been delighted to see the innovative ways in which Mitsubishi Electric is training up the next generation to ensure they are prepared to tackle the challenges of both the present and the future."
The Livingston Training Center joins the company’s two other centers in Manchester and Hatfield.
