Training to meet the needs of the future

Reporter: Martyn Torr
Date published: 01 September 2010


AN Oldham company is taking advantage of a training opportunity to improve the skills of their employees in the installation of air and ground-source heat pumps.

Engineers from J and J Harrison, in Huddersfield Road, have been studying for BPEC standard qualifications to install the environmentally-friendly technology in homes and public and commercial buildings.

J21, the Oldham Rochdale labour-into-construction initiative, arranged for specialist training company PPL Training to deliver the course at a training centre in Shaw.

Plumbing and heating contractors J and J Harrison have been working in mechanical services for more than 60 years. Their success has been built on offering a reliable and professional service — and ensuring that their staff are all trained and qualified to the highest standards.

J and J Harrison’s Lesley Purcell said: “The company is committed to training in renewable energy sources in order to meet future challenges and provide customers with a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.”

Bob Barber of J21 added: “This initiative is helping to ensure that local businesses have a skilled workforce so they can bid successfully for new contracts in the growing environmental technology sector.” Ground-source heat pump technology uses pipes buried up to 100 metres in the earth to extract heat from the ground and is usually used to heat radiators or underfloor heating systems and water.