The first cohort of graduates of the new Heat Pump Installation, Commissioning, Maintenance and Servicing programme developed by Atlantic Technological University and Galway-based company Unitherm Heating Systems were presented with their certificate awards at a formal ceremony in Unitherm Heating Systems’ new training academy in Glenrock Business Park, Ballybane on Friday last. Minister for State Hildegarde Naughton also formally opened the training academy during the event.
The part-time programme, which was developed by ATU’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Unitherm Heating Systems, involves 13 days of on-site, practical, training which is delivered once weekly over 13 weeks. The 20-credit programme was designed to directly address the shortage of skilled labour in energy efficient heat pump technologies. Heat pumps offer an avenue for decarbonising heating systems that traditionally rely on fossil fuel boilers.
The programme is run biannually, and is unique as it also covers maintenance and servicing. The first group of 18 graduates commenced the programme in September 2023, graduating last week. A second cohort are currently in training and will complete their studies by June. The installers’ portion of the training is aligned to the National Standard Authority of Ireland (NSAI ) published National Standard Recommendation for the Design and Installation of Heat Pumps in Homes - SR 50-4:2021. Geographically it’s the only offering in the west and northwest region, and graduates of the programme are recognised as having met SEAI’s entry criteria for registration as a renewable heat pump energy installer.
“A lot of people are aware that the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive [EPBD] requires zero emissions from fossil fuels for all new buildings by 2030, the displacement of fossil fuel boilers in all buildings by 2040, and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Dr Oliver Mulryan, head of Dept of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, ATU Galway. “Under the Government’s Climate Action Plan, by 2030 the Government has set ambitious targets to retrofit over 400,000 with the technology. I have no doubt that this collaborative partnership will be mutually beneficial as renewable technologies evolves and their adoptions grows. We congratulate all the graduates and would like to take the opportunity to specifically thank colleagues John Scahill, Jimmy Fahy, and all in the Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment for their willingness to co fund this programme.
Anyone interested in pursuing this certificate can visit www.atu.ie/flexible/electrical-mechanical-engineering, where you will find further information on the eligibility criteria, and the portal through which to apply for a place on the course this September and/or January.
