Switching on to advanced training

A state-of-the-art facility that uses a simulated control centre to train engineers to install and maintain advanced  district heating technology has been launched by energy metering and control specialist  ENER-G Switch2.

ENER-G Switch2 has been involved in several high-profile projects recently, including Manchester’s Beetham Tower, London’s Stratford Eye and the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

The company, which is part of sustainable technology business ENER-G, operates in the residential and commercial energy sectors.
 
The new training centre at ENER-G’s group headquarters in Salford, Greater Manchester, has been developed to ensure engineers have in-depth understanding of the company’s advanced energy metering, control and billing technology.

“The highly qualified engineers we employ are all from plumbing/heating or electrical backgrounds, however very few will have had dealings with complex district heating schemes or metering strategies,” said training manager, Alan Purdie.

He added: “The complexity, diversity and scale of the jobs we are handling and our wide product range has created a need for a centre to provide specific off-site training that realistically replicates a working environment.”

He added: “The training centre enables in-depth training on all ENER-G Switch2 equipment using ‘live’ communal heating scheme equipment in a test environment. As a result, engineers can gain the skills and confidence to work unsupervised before going on site.
 
“The centre will provide our engineers with the knowledge, confidence and professionalism to be able to work on any range of equipment in ENER-G Switch2’s portfolio. It will also enable engineers to quickly identify and fix faults, giving clients peace of mind and assurance that they have engaged a well-managed and highly trained organisation.”


Trainees will also have an opportunity to learn more about combined heat and power technology from sister company ENER-G Combined Power and see the units being built.
Training modules will typically take ten days for experienced engineers and about four weeks for new starters.

The photograph shows Alan Purdie, ENER-G Technical Training Manager is pictured (left) with trainee service engineer Mike Himsworth, who is a qualified plumber.

ENER-G Switch2