TRAINING
Front row L-R: Peter Lynch, Plumbing Lecturer, Sean McBride, OFTEC’s representative in Ireland, Cathal Rafferty, Firebird, and Paul McGuckin, Firebird provide training to apprentices at Northern Regional College.
NORTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE PLUMBING APPRENTICES GAIN INSIGHT INTO FUTURE OF HOME HEAT... Trainingprovidedbymanufacturers andOFTEC
F inal year plumbing students at Northern Regional College are set to reap the benefits of invaluable training aimed at making them aware of upcoming changes to the industry. Against a backdrop of the recent COP 26 summit in Glasgow and announcements by the UK and Irish governments on plans to move to carbon zero technologies, regulator OFTEC, along with several oil boiler manufacturers, has demonstrated their commitment to supporting the enrichment of apprenticeship training at Northern Regional College. Manufacturer Firebird has delivered training on their new and existing products and explained the advancements with Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel. And Grant Engineering, with over 40 years’ experience designing and manufacturing highly-efficient heating products, introduced the students at the college to heat pump technology. This is in line with government strategies to cut climate emissions and phase out fossil fuel heating systems, and provides the apprentices with valuable insight
into how the sector is evolving and the opportunities available as installers and future representative in Ireland. OFTEC’s Sean McBride spoke to students about the importance of working to high standards and in line with regulations, ensuring safety for end-users and efficiencies of oil-fired appliances. Plumbing Lecturer at Northern Regional College Peter Lynch said: “It is fantastic for the students to speak directly to manufacturers and regulating bodies about current and upcoming changes to our industry. This helps to enrich the apprenticeship programme here. By keeping it current; students are made aware of exciting and new opportunities ahead of them as they finish the final year of their college training, highlighting what a great career choice plumbing really is.” More industry-aligned visits and guest speakers are planned for the remainder of the academic year, giving students a real feel for what post apprenticeship training is available for them and introducing more career paths within their chosen industry.
T: +44 (0)28 9085 5000 E: peter.lynch@nrc.ac.uk www.nrc.ac.uk
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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 17
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