Course launched at Moulton College to meet demand for solar panels

The students had hands-on tuition in the installation of solar panels

A course has been launched to cope with the increasing demand for solar panel installations.

The programme has been devised by Moulton College in Northampton with help from a local energy company.

The first students, a group of job seekers, have completed their training and some have already got jobs in the industry.

The latest data suggests that more than a million homes in the UK now have solar panels installed.

According to the industry standards body, MCS Certified, 2023 was the first year in which an average of 20,000 solar panel installations took place every month.

The first half of 2023 saw 82% more installations than the first half of 2022.

At the same time, the Ashden climate change charity is reporting a shortage of installers with 200,000 more skilled workers needed to ensure all UK households meet an acceptable energy efficiency standard by 2035.

The first intake for the new Moulton College course has produced seven skilled installers who have secured jobs with GenCarbon, the company that worked with Moulton College and JobCentre Plus to create the course.

The students had hands-on instruction on the installation of photo voltaic solar panels, and also learned health and safety and teamwork skills.

Various companies donated tools and equipment, and GenCarbon constructed a commercial roof test rig for the students to practise their installation techniques on.

A commercial roof test rig was installed for the students to practise their skills

Matt Smith from Moulton College, said: "As the UK heads towards Net Zero, there is a burgeoning interest in solar and a growing need for trained and qualified personnel to install and maintain solar units.

"By joining forces with GenCarbon, we have been able to create a course suited for the needs of the industry."

Richard Wakeford from GenCarbon, said: "We are delighted to be supporting the College in the delivery of this course, which is the only formal solar installer skills-related programme to be delivered nationally in the last 12 months.

"The Department for Work and Pensions and JobCentre Plus helped to recruit a cohort of committed and enthusiastic learners.

"To have seven of them secure long-term, high-value employment with GenCarbon is a fantastic outcome for everyone."