Biomass Apprentices Get a Boost with Trailblazer Scheme
- arryawke
- Mar 12, 2015
- 2 min read
A new skills standard for the biomass industry got a boost recently. Leading people and organisations in the biomass industry joined forces to develop the Biomass Installation Engineer programme, part of the Government’s Apprenticeship Trailblazers programme.
The development new biomass apprenticeship standard is led by Neil Harrison, who founded re:heat, the Northumberland-based biomass company. It aims to help young people get top class skills to use in the biomass industry.
Woodford commented on the scheme:
“The biomass industry is experiencing high growth across the country and we expect demand for this apprenticeship programme to start at 200 in the first year, growing by at least a further 100 annually until we have around 750 participants by 2020.”
He continued:
"It is vitally important we ensure the quality of biomass boiler installations if the sector's potential is to be fully realised. The instances of poorly and sometimes dangerously installed systems are on the rise and this poses a reputational risk which could permanently damage the sector if left unchecked. There is a very pressing need for a new approach to deliver the highest quality training provision to ensure all areas of the biomass supply chain have the right skills to protect the integrity of the sector."
The Biomass Installation Engineer programme focuses on providing the skills needed to install biomass boilers. Demand for biomass boilers is strong, largely down to the strong incentive provided by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). According to Neil, “more than 90% of all RHI eligible schemes are biomass systems.”
If successful, it could see the biomass apprenticeship scheme widen to include skills in fuel supply chain, logistics and storage. Companies already involved in delivering the scheme are Teesdale Renewables, Oakes Energy, Dunster Biomass Heating, Purple Energy, Biomass Boiler Services, Prescient Power, High Park Industries, Ashwell Biomass, Nottinghamshire Eco Fuels and Employer First.