Blackburn-based energy equipment and solutions firm Vital Energy has teamed up with The City of Liverpool College to develop and deliver a renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programme.

Business Lancashire reports that the new apprenticeship programme will demonstrate Vital’s commitment to developing key industry skills needed to help achieve net-zero carbon emissions and also create a sustainable workforce for the future.

The scheme will deliver the apprenticeship from a £2 million Training Academy located at Vital’s Blackburn headquarters, which will be in two pathways, Craft and Technical.

Both pathways will allow apprentices to learn and work within the renewable energy and heat networks market, learning how carbon emissions are reduced through Vital’s renewable technologies and their innovative products.

It will be delivered through a blended mix of virtual online teaching and a minimum of 25 days of curriculum teaching each year at the academy.

Apprentices will spend the majority of their time on-site working on exciting projects, where they will pick up a wealth of skills through hands-on experience and support from Vital’s experienced and knowledgeable team.

The Liverpool City Region aims to achieve net-zero by 2040, and The City of Liverpool College has its focus on the development of a curriculum that meets the needs of the industry, thus creating a workforce for the future by developing the skills required to gain a sustainable career.

During the three-year Craft programme, apprentices will study for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Craftsperson qualification. They will learn a range of key skills from pipework fabrication and jointing techniques such as electrofusion jointing, to welding, the installation of plumbing and heating systems, and more.

By the end of the programme, apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Building Services Design Technician qualification, after developing their understanding of building services design principles.

Vital Energi’s managing director for the North & Scotland, Mike Cooke, completed an apprenticeship at The City of Liverpool College and he believes this formed a great foundation for his successful career path.

“At 18 years old this was my first opportunity to experience independence and life in the city,” he said.

“My apprenticeship provided me with social, interpersonal, and technical skills which have been the platform of my career, and even though the pay was significantly less than Vital’s offer today, I’ve been able to progress through my career without being saddled with tuition fees and student loans. A real and genuine upside.”

Sophie Park, director of Workforce Skills at The City of Liverpool College, said that their partnership with Vital is built on the knowledge and skills of its engineers as well as the curriculum leaders at The City of Liverpool College.

“Working with progressive, exciting organisations such as Vital Energi helps us to continue to innovate and provide our students with the skills they need to enter the workforce and forge successful sustainable careers,” she said.

“This new state of the art training centre will play an essential role in developing the skills needed to deliver our low carbon future.”

If you’re looking for apprenticeship providers in the North West, get in touch today.