Hartpury Colleges South West Enabling Environmental Technologies (SWEET)

About the SWEET Project:

Hartpury College's 'South West Enabling Environmental Technologies' (SWEET) project is developing and delivering training to construction and building services companies in the West of England to give them the skills and knowledge to move into environmental technologies. The project is also supporting organisations from any sector to reduce their carbon footprint by delivering environmental awareness training to employees.

Training needs Analysis:

To develop training that meets key business needs in the West of England, Hartpury has consulted with employers to identify the skills and knowledge required to move into environmental technologies. Between February and June 2009 Hartpury contacted over 500 companies, spoke to 120 by telephone and visited 60 companies in the West of England that are either currently working with environmental technologies or are looking to move into this emerging market. The visit consisted of a training needs analysis to identify the skills and knowledge required for businesses to employ these technologies. It also gathered feedback on which technologies are of interest to them, what barriers are preventing their uptake, and what form of training they would like to see in place.

Qualification Development:

The information from the training needs analyses is being used by the College as it develops new qualifications in environmental technologies. Hartpury is working with Summit Skills (Sector Skills Council for Building Services Engineering) and City and Guilds to develop 13 units of qualification to cover the following areas:

• Awareness of the working principles, installation options and regulatory requirements for Environmental Technologies
• Installation, Service and Maintenance of Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaic and Heat Pump Systems

The qualification units are being designed to sit within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and will be aligned with regulatory requirements. Once available on the QCF, these can be packaged together to form CPD qualifications which will be offered through the project once available.

Training Courses:

In the interim, Hartpury is delivering training in existing qualifications to satisfy some of the training needs identified. Since July 09, SWEET has trained over 150 employees from 80 organisations. All courses lead to certified or accredited qualifications providing an awareness of renewable energy, sustainability and environmental issues which are suitable for all organisations. SWEET also provides technical courses in the installation of renewable energy technologies suitable for qualified trades.

Download the current programme of courses (opens as a PDF in a new window)

The training available through the SWEET Project is shown below:

• Renewable Energy Awareness (BPEC): Provides a basic level of knowledge of various renewable energy products and systems for managers/directors, specifiers, installers and builders merchants’ employees.

• Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water (Logic): Provides an entry level qualification for experienced domestic heating installers or plumbers, wishing to extend their work into solar heating.
• Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Logic): Provides an entry level qualification for experienced domestic/commercial electricians wishing to extend their work into Solar Photovoltaics
• Domestic Heat Pump Installer (Logic): Provides qualified heating or plumbing operatives the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills to include installation of heat pumps.
• Level 2 Certificate in Developing Environmental Awareness (Ascentis): Provides learners with knowledge and understanding of the main environmental issues facing organisations, and the skills to deal with them. It is aimed at those who are interested in controlling the environmental impacts of their company.
• Environmental Awareness Seminar (Ascentis): Provides an awareness of the issues surrounding the environment and our need to play our part in the prevention of further global warming. It is aimed at anyone who wishes to understand the impact that businesses have on the environment and who are interested in controlling the environmental impacts of their own company

Enhanced Training for Train to Gain Learners:

SWEET is supporting learners currently enrolled on Level 2 and Level 3 Train to Gain qualifications by offering a fully funded training package of at least 30 guided learning hours which will add value to their NVQ. The packages include combinations of the above courses.

Support for Apprentices at Risk:

Hartpury is working with employers in the West of England to retain their apprentices during this economic climate. Enrolment onto the apprentice support programme has now closed and the SWEET project is supporting 26 apprentices from the construction and building services sectors by providing a weekly training allowance for 50 weeks with the Level 2 Certificate in Developing Environmental Awareness.

Eligibility and Next Steps:

If your organisation is based in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire and you are interested in learning more about environmental technologies, or reducing your environmental impact, then call Rob Matts, SWEET Project Manager at Hartpury College, on 01452 702458 or email him at rob.matts@hartpury.ac.uk to discuss how your company can benefit.

SWEET is funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) through the European Social Fund (ESF).

Additional Downloads:
Renewable Energy Awareness
Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Domestic Heat Pump Installer
Environmental Awareness Seminar
Level 2 Certificate in Developing Environmental Awareness