North Devon College has launched a new Low Carbon Training Centre in Barnstaple in partnership with Vaillant Group UK. The facility includes four training bays with air source heat pumps, including Vaillant's aroTHERM plus and Glow-worm's GeniaAir. It is the only Vaillant training centre in the South West outside Bristol, reducing travel for installers and apprentices in the region. The centre aims to address the growing demand for qualified heat pump installers, especially as North Devon and Torridge are expected to build over 1,300 new homes per year. It will train current plumbing and heating professionals as well as college apprentices. The opening event featured local officials and industry partners, highlighting the collaboration between education and the heating industry. This initiative is a practical step to close the skills gap in low-carbon heating. By providing local access to modern heat pump technology, it supports the transition away from gas boilers and helps meet regional decarbonization targets.
