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SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector, is offering funding to sector employers in England that will cover 50% of their costs for training on environmental technologies such as the installation of heat pumps.

The funding is available through SummitSkills’ 'Joint Investment Programme', an initiative that brings together public and private investment to support skills development in areas key to economic recovery and future growth.

Eligible training programmes should lead to achievement of an Award (Qualifications and Credit Framework) at Level 3 in one or more of the following environmental technologies:

• Level 3 Award in the installation of Heat Pump Systems

• Level 3 Award in the installation of Solar Thermal Systems

• Level 3 Award in the installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

• Level 3 Award in the installation of Water Recycling Systems

Both up skill existing workforce and existing apprentices can benefit from the training. The qualifications provide training to develop a competence standard matching that required for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, the UK independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards.

Next steps

To be eligible for funding, employers will have to commit to the training before 2 September 2010.

Training will commence in November 2010 and initial funding of 50% of the cost of training will be available for a period of one year until 31 July 2011.