Pinnacle Power Pioneers New Heat Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship
A first of its kind Heat Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship is being led by Pinnacle Power, part of Pinnacle Group. The new 36-month apprenticeship aims to support the UK’s journey to net zero, building on the sustainable energy expertise that Pinnacle provides its private and public sector commercial and residential property clients.
Initial approval for the Heat Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship has been given by Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE). Full curriculum details, funding levels and partnerships with local colleges are all being finalised by the Trailblazer group, which includes industry leading organisations in the heat network industry, including EQUANS, Uniper, E.ON, SSE, Metropolitan, FairHeat, Vattenfall and Vital Energi.
The group are hoping to have a final submission to the IFATE by winter this year with roll out of the apprenticeship in 2023.
Toby Powell, Pinnacle Power’s Head of Operations and Chair of the Trailblazer Group, is focusing on the successful roll-out of the apprenticeship programme.
Toby said: “To reduce carbon emissions and meet sustainability targets, there is a rapid roll out of heat networks across the country. To meet the needs of this growing industry, we are looking to encourage new talent, provide structured learning and a rewarding career to those that wish to join us at this exciting time. At Pinnacle Power, we have a responsibility to design, build, operate, maintain and provide customer services that deliver sustainable heating to thousands of properties and commercial businesses across the country.”
The apprenticeship will be open to those over the age of 16 and will focus on a core or Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) foundation module, including mechanical, electrical and controls principles. This core module will be complemented with options to specialise in Heat Interface Units (HIUs), Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) distribution systems, or heat generation plant and equipment.
Toby added: “We are proud to be progressing these apprenticeships and see it as a crucial way to future-proof our team. It also feeds into our purpose as a company that gives back to communities by providing employment and training opportunities.”
Heat networks, which are distribution systems that can take heat from a central single source to heat a network of properties, form an important part of the government’s 2050 Net Zero strategy. This is because the energy they provide can be supplied by a range of low carbon heating sources, removing the need for individual high carbon heating systems, such as gas boilers.
For more information about the Heat Network Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship programme, and how to get involved, please contact: [email protected].
Pinnacle Group Reappointed to Cleaning Contract for 600+ Council Owned Facilities
A much sought-after contract has been secured by Pinnacle Group to provide specialist cleaning services to Solihull Community Housing (SCH), which run housing services on behalf of Solihull Council.
The SCH cleaning contract, which is worth almost one million pounds, will once again be held by Pinnacle Group who previously won the contract from 2010 – 2015. As part of this latest agreement, Pinnacle Group is responsible for the responsive and planned cleaning of more than 600 individual facilities including offices, community centres and homes from 1 August 2022.
Neil Fergus, Managing Director, FM at Pinnacle Group said, “We have a strong relationship and previous working history with Solihull Community Housing, and as a result of this we know the sites well and how we can apply our extensive cleaning experience and customer service to best support them. Our fantastic facilities management team will offer a full range of cleaning services, which will involve internal and external cleaning of the buildings, specialist biohazard removal, as well as clearing of fire or flood damage and deep cleans.
“We are delighted to have been successful in this bid and to be working once again with the team at Solihull Community Housing. Since our last tenure we’ve improved the technology we use to support the services we offer. This will ensure that any queries and questions are dealt with even more effectively than before.”
Operating a six-day-a-week service, including bank holidays for all high-rise buildings, Pinnacle Group’s team will become an integrated part of the community and a familiar face to residents. In total, the new contract covers three service areas: 555 low rise blocks, 37 high rise blocks, three offices, three community centres and the Extra Care Scheme, which supports people in living independently. Already an extensive contract, there is potential to extend the housing element to incorporate further properties.
Fiona Hughes Chief Executive at Solihull Community Housing said: “The hygiene and safety of all our buildings is imperative. We are thrilled to appoint Pinnacle Group to the SCH cleaning contract to help us achieve this. We look forward to Pinnacle providing a high-quality cleaning service and of course, as always, we welcome any feedback from our customers.”
Yorkshire Three Peaks Success
Recently, a team of colleagues from our Facilities Management (FM) division who are based in Leeds, took on the Yorkshire Three Peak challenge to raise money for Fairfield School in Batley, where Pinnacle Group provide hard and soft FM.
On Friday 17th June a team of 15, including 11 Pinnacle colleagues and staff and Governors from Fairfield set off at 6am to tackle 26-mile trek. A classic trekking challenge, the route took in summits of Pen-y-ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m).
Assisted by the Pinnacle Group support vehicle, providing sandwiches, energy drinks and much needed pep talks, team members each burned in excess of 4,000 calories taking on some extremely difficult terrain. Over the course of many thousands of steps, and much blood, sweat and tears, the team successfully conquered the challenge in just over 12 hours.
Thanks to their efforts, the team have now raised over £1,000 for Fairfield school. The money raised will go towards developing the school playground. Currently a large open concrete space, the playground will be transformed into four separate smaller areas with a safer soft crumb ground and artificial grass. These will consist of:
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- A 'bike zone' to resemble a miniature formula one racetrack for bikes and trikes, complete with shed storage space;
- An ‘Active Zone’ with a roundabout, swing, climbing frame, sunken trampoline, bridge, tunnel, and den;
- A 'Gymnasium Zone' for our more active pupils to burn off some energy; and,
- A ‘Relaxation Zone’ with a sensory gazebo, seating area with planters and focal feature, interactive pathway with a sensory tambour tunnel.
Steve Walsh, Business Manager at Fairfield School said: “Thank you again to everyone involved. The day was a fantastic team build event and I hope this may be the first of many joint adventures we can do together.”
Congratulations to all involved on an enormous achievement! If you would like to donate to the cause, please click here.
Pinnacle Group finalises integration of Orchard and Shipman brand.
The integration of housing specialists, Orchard & Shipman (O&S) Group, into Pinnacle Group has entered its second phase. This means that as of 1st June 2022, O&S Group now operates under the Pinnacle Group brand, replacing all O&S Group branding.
Pinnacle Group acquired O&S Group in late 2021, to support Pinnacle’s geographic expansion and service capability growth. Since then, the integration of the two businesses has been steadily underway. As well as the change to the branding, this latest phase of the acquisition will simultaneously see the O&S Group social media channels and website cease - apart from O&S Homes (one of our regulated Registered Providers of Affordable Housing), which will still have a page on the Pinnacle Group website.
Peregrine Lloyd, chief executive of Pinnacle Group, said:
“We’re pleased to be taking the final integration steps as part of our exciting acquisition of O&S Group. The integration of branding, social channels and website within the Pinnacle Group brand is an important part of our plan to deliver our vision together as one provider. We look forward to growing from strength to strength together.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Group Chief Executive
Celebrating World FM Day
Each year, on World FM Day, the IWFM (Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management) highlights and celebrates the impact and value that facilities teams, and the wider industry, contribute to business worldwide.
Pinnacle Group is proud to be a Corporate Member of the IWFM, the organisation that promotes excellence among a worldwide workplace and facilities management membership community.
We’re delighted to celebrate World FM Day, recognising and thanking all of our people who make a vital contribution to putting our customers at the heart of facilities management services, providing places where people are safe, healthy and able to thrive.
The theme for World FM Day 2022 is ‘Leading a sustainable future’.
Leading a sustainable future
With the day focusing on the FM industry’s opportunity to make positive change through corporate sustainability, Managing Director, FM Neil Fergus commented:
“As we grow as a company, we are seizing the opportunity to operate with purpose. This is already ingrained in our company values. And, through the actions of our teams, we see our staff go above and beyond their daily duties to protect our planet, care for our people, have a positive impact in the community and deliver our services in a responsible and ethical manner.”
Neil Fergus
Managing Director, FM
Here we highlight some of the recent actions, across our business, that support our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future.
Our commitment to ESG
We have a rich history as a socially conscious and values-led business. Building on this, we have launched our ESG Framework which is structured around the four pillars of:
- Protecting Our Planet
- Our People
- Community Impact
- Responsible Business
Through Protecting Our Planet, we are removing carbon, reducing pollution and continuously looking at making the right choice for the environment when deciding on ways of working and selecting suppliers, products, equipment and materials.
Project Electrify
Our Carbon Reduction Plan to Net Zero aims to achieve:
- Net Zero on direct emissions by 2025 (Scope 1 & 2)
- Full emissions by 2035 (Scope 3)
Project Electrify supports Pinnacle’s Carbon Net Zero road map with the roll out an all-electric fleet across 500 service vehicles servicing over 100 UK locations. Analysing the usage requirements of all vehicles, due for renewal or new vehicles added to the fleet, these will be considered for an electric vehicle replacement to reduce our environmental impact.
This is backed by the rolling out of our own electric vehicle charging infrastructure across our sites and depots, maximising charge points on existing grid capacity.
Using telematics and data analysis, we will continuously review the programme to see if changes need to be made, based on our experience in the field and future efficiency.
Moving towards electric grounds maintenance equipment
In one of our contracts - Essex County Council - we have demonstrated a successful switch of 100% of our small kit to electric.
Creating energy efficiency through LED/PIR installations
Through our initiative of installing 6,000 energy efficient LED lights across seven schools in Swindon, we have delivered an impressive energy reduction of 70%.
Responsible cleaning
As a business that is committed to procuring with purpose, we want to replace the use of harmful chemical products and consumable products, used in the delivery of our contract cleaning service, with environmentally responsible alternatives. Our vision is to embed technologies within our contract cleaning service delivery that:
- Do not use ingredients toxic to humans
- Do not use ingredients toxic to aquatic life
- Stop plastic pollution through the reduction of single use plastic
- Promote the growth and development of small, localised, innovative businesses within our supply chain
Project Switch
A key part of our Responsible Procurement Policy, and cleaning responsibly, is our new national sustainability standard for commercial cleaning and hygiene supplies Project Switch in partnership with Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Services (BCHS).
Project Switch ensures that sustainably produced and packaged cleaning chemicals, plus hygiene consumables, are prioritised across our soft facilities services portfolio. As part of the collaborative sustainability initiative, BCHS has committed to offsetting carbon emissions associated with our cleaning supplies delivery management, so that they are carbon neutral.
As part of this project, 10 per cent of Project Switch’s annual spend will be allocated with approved local SME, VCSE and micro suppliers.
Ongoing measurement of the policy will be used to keep reducing the number of post-consumer recycled (PCR) bottles being put back into the circular supply chain, working towards 100 per cent by 2025.
Community impact
Our employees are passionate about engaging with and doing the right thing by the communities we serve. Many dedicate their time and develop initiatives to support local causes alongside community partners, partnering with local charities and social enterprises to provide help where it matters most.
At one local school, we have been supporting local planting, showing pupils how to successfully grow their own strawberries and combining this with healthy eating education.
From supporting the building of a community garden for a local hospice, to supporting local food banks across the country and creating community allotments, we are so proud of our people and the impact of their fantastic work.
Pinnacle embarks on landmark £141m MOD accommodation services contract
TODAY marks the official start of Pinnacle Group’s £141M contract to deliver National Accommodation Management Services (NAMS) for 49,000 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) homes across the UK, on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The high-quality customer services will be delivered by a specialist division – known as Pinnacle Service Families. The contract is for seven years, with an option to extend for up to three years.
The landmark NAMS contract, which was awarded to Pinnacle Group in 2021 due, in recognition of its extensive housing services expertise, is now operational. As of 1 April 2022, Service Personnel and their families will benefit from an enhanced customer journey and experience. Whether moving in or out of properties, raising a repair, or planning scheduled housing maintenance, the customer-facing Pinnacle Service Families team is now the dedicated single point of contact for all Service families' housing management needs.
The go live also marks the start of a new partnership with Sopra Steria as the digital partner, supported by Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL), which is providing its contact centre expertise to Pinnacle Group.
Throughout the process of mobilsation and contract start, Pinnacle has worked closely with DIO and the Regional Accommodation Management Service (RAMS) partners – Amey and VIVO. Military personnel and their families have been represented by the Service Families Federations to ensure their needs are fully considered when developing the service offer. This includes the modernisation of communication methods, with the introduction of a new digital platform to log requests and receive progress updates.
“This significant and essential contract, designed to improve the way Service families access and receive housing accommodation support and services, has been carefully planned in collaboration with all our delivery partners. We are now proud to be acting as the single point of customer contact and reassurance for the management of 49,000 Service Family Accommodation homes across the UK.
“We understand the importance of high-quality housing services and the impact this has on the wellbeing of Armed Forces personnel and their families. With over 25 years of service delivery experience, we are well positioned to deliver best in class services and are deeply committed to the success of this contract. We have invested substantially in the new National Service Centre in Liverpool, where we will deliver the digital platform designed to integrate all housing management and repair aspects of our work. We will also maintain our focus on customer responsive from our nationwide network of service hubs.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Group Chief Executive, Pinnacle Group
“We are excited to launch the new service today which follows months of hard work to mobilise the contract. Over the coming weeks, Service families will begin to see how we are building on our commitment to innovate and modernise, with improvements due to evolve, which will make a big difference to how they access support.
“We have a comprehensive website to keep service families up to date, with new service features being added. We also look forward to working with customers to help shape the service as we move forward.”
Claire Kober
Managing Director, Homes, Pinnacle Group
Air Commodore James Savage
Head of Accommodation, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) “We truly value the service of those in the Armed Forces and are dedicated to ensuring they and their families have the best experience possible when managing housing and accommodation. Winning this contract will allow us to do just that; providing military families with more digital touchpoints to enhance their experience of living in service family accommodation, accelerate resolutions and proactively minimise any potential disruption to their lives. “Estate integration is a growing market for Sopra Steria, and we’re delighted to have been selected by the MOD to provide data-led insight for improved customer service, proactive intervention, and a ‘future of work’ style estates transformation as part of its new FDIS contracts.”
Sue-Ellen Wright
Managing Director, Aerospace, Defence and Security, Sopra Steria
“I’m delighted that we can support Pinnacle to deliver our award-winning contact centre services to all Armed Forces serving personnel and their families. We not only pride ourselves on our enhanced digital capabilities, expertise, and knowledge in contact centre service delivery, but also on the excellent customer experience we extend to all our customers.”
Kenny Morris
Managing Director, SSCL Government
Pinnacle Group Appoints Ark to Strengthen Digital Offer
Pinnacle Group has committed to strengthening its digital offer for customers across its residential management portfolio, signing a three-year deal with Prop Tech start-up Ark.
The move will see Pinnacle use Ark’s cutting-edge platform across thousands of its homes; Ark launched in 2021 to partner with developers, investors and social housing providers to harness communities via a lifestyle app for tenants. Pinnacle, a large-scale property manager overseeing a national portfolio of 80,000 homes across a range of tenures, will pilot the software across its PRS and leasehold management portfolios before rolling out more widely later in the year.
Claire Kober, Managing Director of Pinnacle Group’s Homes business said of the news: “Pinnacle exists to deliver residential management solutions across a range of tenures, portfolios and geographies. We pride ourselves on the highest standards of customer service and are committed to providing a market leading digital service to compliment residents’ lifestyles.
“Ark is a natural partner in our endeavour; the team has created an innovative platform which allows us to better engage with residents across our portfolios using cutting-edge technology. It will mean customers can access our services, connect with their property manager and report a repair from the app on their smartphone. It will also support the drive to build strong, cohesive communities across our sites.
“This is an ambitious partnership. Working together, Ark and Pinnacle Group will transform the quality and accessibility of our service to customers ”
The announcement comes just weeks after Ark announced that award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash would implement its software across its entire, nationwide portfolio in places like Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham. In late 2021, Runcorn-based Halton Housing also appointed the company to use the Ark platform for residents’ complimentary use in one of its communities.
Angus Reid of Ark explained: “We are just one year into our journey and are thoroughly enjoying partnering with renowned names in the housing sector.
“It is our goal to harness better relationships between landlords, portfolio managers and the people living in their homes, while simultaneously enhancing the living experiences of residents. We’re already seeing early successes of that with Urban Splash and look forward to reaching even more people through this new relationship with Pinnacle; we are delighted to be working with such a prominent property manager.”
Pinnacle Group Launches New Sustainability Commitment
A SUSTAINABILITY pledge has been announced by Pinnacle Group. The published Carbon Reduction Plan details how the business plans to minimise direct and indirect emissions across each of its services and extensive property portfolio over the next decade.
In the plan, Pinnacle Group pledges to achieve net zero on direct emissions as a result of the businesses’ own operations by 2025, and full emissions that account for waste disposal, purchased goods and services, as well as employee commuting by 2035. These goals align with the Science Based Targets definition of achieving net zero.
While the business has already taken several steps to reduce its carbon footprint - including investing in a fleet of electric vehicles and committing to a new sustainable procurement policy for its soft facilities management (FM) cleaning services - the latest plan has developed a clear roadmap to net zero.
To achieve targets, the document outlines Pinnacle Group’s plans to scrutinise current emissions and take action to reduce carbon emission levels via various schemes and behavioral changes. Reducing the environmental impact of business travel, for example, will be delivered via a new Green Business Travel programme. A large-scale review of utility provision across the entire Pinnacle Group estate will also be completed in Spring, with aims to make a complete transition to ‘green energy’.
“Our Carbon Reduction Plan is the result of science backed data analysis and strategy building, so that we can best tackle the sustainability challenge across our facilities management services, homes, utilities and community wellbeing work. We want to create lasting change, so formalising our approach in this new plan holds us accountable and allows for a more measurable journey to net zero against our goals.”
Peregrine Lloyd
Group Chief Executive of Pinnacle Group
“Sustainability is a core pillar of what we champion at Pinnacle Group, so we are proud to push forward on our promises to help protect our planet. This is an exciting step in our net zero journey, which makes our mission clearer in all the strides we’re making to reduce emissions, right across Pinnacle Group services. We look forward to supporting the team in reaching our 2025 and 2035 targets as we strive to become a more sustainable business.”
Paul de Kock
Head of Projects at Pinnacle Group
Pinnacle Group will also launch its “Plan to Net Zero” in the coming months, which aims to drive forward environmental best practice with a focus on employee education.
Pinnacle Group Reports Kickstart Scheme Success During National Careers Week
PINNACLE GROUP has revealed that 30 young people in total have been provided with six-month paid work experience placements through the government’s Kickstart Scheme. Announcing this success during National Careers Week (7-11 March 2022), Pinnacle Group has also reported that this has led to full-time employment for eight young people so far.
The last intake of the government-backed Kickstart scheme, which was aimed at 16-to-24-year-olds receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, happened in December 2021. Pinnacle Group is now supporting the final cohort through the scheme, which involves them working with a dedicated Kickstart coach to provide regular reviews and feedback.
In addition, Pinnacle Group has further invested in the young people on the Kickstart Scheme by supporting them all with Group Employability Workshops, designed to build confidence and understanding of their role at Pinnacle. Alongside this, the Kickstarters have been supported with other job skills - including how to develop a CV, writing cover letters, completion of application forms, interview techniques and job searching.
Reporting on the success of the Kickstart Scheme, Ben Leahy at Pinnacle Group said: “Supporting the community through engaging with young people and providing job opportunities is very important to us. We are therefore delighted to have taken part in the government’s Kickstart Scheme, which aligned with our people focused values. Although applications are now closed, the positive impact the scheme has had on the young people involved and the Pinnacle team has been tremendous. The fact that this has also led to full-time employment for eight young people so far is further testament to how valuable the scheme has been.”
Sajan Raja, who joined Pinnacle Group through the Kickstart Scheme and is now a full-time Junior Data Analyst, said: “I have found the experience to be really rewarding and I am so pleased to be doing something that challenges me and that I enjoy. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I joined the Kickstart Scheme but it has helped me to discover my strengths and open the door to a career I never thought I was able to have. I am grateful to the team at Pinnacle for taking a chance on me and helping me to thrive.”
New National Standard to Drive Sustainability in New Hygiene Procurement Management Partnership
Pinnacle Group, together with Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Services (BCHS) have launched Project Switch – a new national sustainability standard for commercial cleaning and hygiene supplies.
The new Project Switch procurement policy, designed by Pinnacle Group and BCHS, utilises Pinnacle Group’s strategic position in the upward supply chain via its buying behaviours. It will prioritise sustainably sourced cleaning chemicals and hygiene consumables, for use across Pinnacle Group’s soft facilities services portfolio in homes, educational facilities, and public buildings.
As part of the partnership, BCHS has committed to offsetting carbon emissions associated with Pinnacle Group deliveries, so they are carbon neutral, resulting in reduction of Scope 3 Emissions. The ‘Responsible Procurement Policy’ also feeds into Pinnacle Group’s ESG framework. It includes a new supply chain management system and set of supply chain values to develop meaningful socio-economic partnerships. As part of this, 10 per cent of Project Switch’s annual spend will be allocated with approved local SME, VCSE and micro suppliers.
Furthermore, ongoing measurement of the policy will be used to keep reducing the number of post-consumer recycled (PCR) bottles being put back into the circular supply chain, working towards 100 per cent by 2025.
“Over the next two years, Pinnacle Group and BCHS intend to roll out and embed the new purchasing practices outlined within the policy, in order to reduce our carbon emissions and improve the impact we have on the communities we work within as well as the wider environment.
“Sustainable procurement requires a high degree of accountability between buyers and suppliers, and this is at the heart of our supply chain management relationship with BCHS. Taking visible and accountable steps like this is important, as while we recognise it is not always possible to have products meet the requirements of this standard, we are striving towards this by ensuring that there are no products in use that fall below our minimum product standard, which goes above and beyond compliance. A number of reporting systems and metrics have also been developed internally that will allow us to measure our performance and identify areas of opportunity as we move towards 100 per cent use of sustainable procurement.”
Sarah Russell
Procurement Manager, Pinnacle Group
“BCHS is proud to work collaboratively with Pinnacle Group on improving the impact we both have on local communities and the wider environment. Supported by the BCHS Sustainable Solutions initiative, the sustainability procurement policy and carbon offsetting commitment together ensure products are sourced sustainably and have a limited impact on the environment.”
Anna McArdle
Sustainability Manager, BCHS
To find out more about our ESG Framework, made up of the four pillars Protect Our Planet, Our People, Community Impact and Responsible Business, visit.
Proud sponsor of the British Army’s World Record breaking team who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in aid of the Royal British Legion
Congratulations to the British Army’s Force Atlantic team who recently conquered the “World’s toughest row”. The crew rowed 3,000 miles in 40 days, 23 hours and 57 seconds in record time to become World Record holders for the fastest mixed fours crew to row across the Atlantic Ocean!
At Pinnacle Group we are proud to be advocates for those who protect our nation and to support the wider Armed Forces Community. We are pleased to demonstrate our loyalty to the British Army and The Royal British Legion by sponsoring Force Atlantic, the British Army’s official Mixed Team entry for the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
The crew, made up of four Instructors from the Royal Army Physical Training Corps: Captain Scott Pollock, Warrant Officer Victoria Blackburn, Staff Sergeant Phillip Welch and Sergeant Laura Barrigan, set off in December to row over 3,000 miles crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
During the gruelling challenge the team faced the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance. Rowing for 12-hours a day in two hours shifts, day and night, the team was faced with an onslaught of waves, sleep deprivation and salt sores.
Back on dry land, the team took some time to rediscover their land legs, eat proper meals, and to fully absorb the extent of their achievement, Captain Scott Pollock took the time to thank all of their sponsors: “A huge, huge thank you to all these very special businesses - your belief and support is what created the spectacle we have seen unfold over the last few weeks”.
Congratulations to the team on their incredible achievement. If you wish to donate to the Royal British Legion click here.
Pinnacle Power’s Apprenticeship for Heat Network Maintenance Technician Announced
PINNACLE POWER, part of Pinnacle Group, is proud to have received approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education for a first-of-its-kind Heat Network Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship. By developing this apprenticeship, Pinnacle Power is actively contributing to boosting the next generation of skilled technicians needed as the UK transitions to a greener economy.
The 36-month apprenticeship is open to those over the age of 16 and will focus on a core Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) foundation module, including mechanical, electrical and controls principles, maintenance strategies, as well as safe working practices of heat networks. This core module will be complemented with options to specialise in Heat Interface Units (HIUs), Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) distribution systems, or heat generation plant and equipment.
Heat networks, which are distribution systems that can take heat from a central single source to heat a network of properties, form an important part of the government’s 2050 Net Zero strategy. This is because the energy they provide can be supplied by a range of low/zero carbon heating sources, and ultimately removes the need for individual high carbon heating systems, such as gas boilers.
As more properties in the future will need to reduce carbon emissions to help meet sustainability targets, heat networks and the professionals who install and service them will also need to increase. This is why over the coming months, Toby Powell, Pinnacle Power’s Head of Operations and Chair of the Trailblazer group, will be focusing on the successful roll out the apprenticeship programme.
Toby said: "This is an extremely important initiative that will support the future of heat networks being developed to meet the legally binding targets of NetZero by 2050.
As an industry we are well aware of the current skills gap and I hope that this apprenticeship, alongside other fantastic initiatives being worked on in the sector, will draw in a diverse, new and enthusiastic talent pool to help us drive forward what is expected to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK.
I am excited to begin this journey with the Trailblazer group and continue to build the valuable course structure, before rolling it out more widely and connecting with schools and colleges to partner with, which is our ambition to do.”
This Trailblazer group will be formed of a team of industry representatives, government representatives and associations, working with the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
For more information about the Heat Network Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship programme, please contact: [email protected].