Vital Energi is working in collaboration with The City of Liverpool College to deliver renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programme
The new apprenticeship programmes demonstrate Vital’s commitment to developing the key industry skills required to achieve net-zero and create a sustainable workforce for the future.
The joint venture will deliver the curriculum from the £2m Training Academy located at Vital’s Blackburn headquarters, for two pathways.
Two pathways: Craft and Technical
Both pathways will take apprentices on an energy journey where they will learn and work within the renewable energy and heat networks market.
Apprentices will learn how carbon emissions are reduced through Vital’s renewable technologies and the innovative products they have developed.
The programmes will be delivered via a blended mix of virtual online teaching and a minimum of 25 days of curriculum learning each year within the Training 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.
Liverpool City Region has an ambition to reach net-zero carbon by 2040 and The City of Liverpool College is focused on developing its curriculum around the needs of industry, creating a workforce for the future by developing the skills needed to enter the world of work in sustainable careers.
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.
At the end of the technical programme, apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Building Services Design Technician qualification, after developing their understanding of building services design principles.
Built on knowledge and skills
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.
Mike said: “At 18 years old this was my first opportunity to experience independence and life in the city.
“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, added: “Our partnership with Vital Energi is built on the knowledge and skills of its engineers and our innovative 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.
“This new state of the art training centre will play an essential role in developing the skills needed to deliver our low carbon future.”
