Our Plumbing and Gas Apprentices were given a fantastic opportunity this week to take part in an exclusive installer training day in partnership with local business Snug Underfloor Heating, heating supplier First Trace Heating Direct, and building materials supplier C & W Berry Ltd.
With energy prices on the rise, and the demand for green energy sources soaring, an increasing number of customers are now choosing underfloor heating to help heat their homes. Underfloor heating removes the need for traditional radiators, and due to the way heat is distributed across the floor, the system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat the entire room. This means the system can run at a lower temperature than traditional radiators, saving energy and reducing costs.
This lower temperature design makes underfloor heating the ideal companion for greener, low carbon renewable heat sources such as air and ground source heat pumps, which run at lower temperatures than gas boilers.
In response to this new demand, Snug Underfloor Heating, a local , have recently launched a Snug Approved Installer Programme, which aims to educate the next generation of Installers about their products and how to correctly install this technology.
40 of our apprentices had the chance to take part in the Installer Programme, where they got hands on with six of Snug’s underfloor heating systems, including Screed Systems (Staple, Castellation Mat, Clip Rails), Low-Profile Systems and Suspended Floor Systems (Suspended Heat Plates & Low Profile).
During the session, the students rotated between each station, learning how to correctly install each system, and were given advice and tips on what to look out for during installation. They were then shown how to gather information in order to provide an accurate quote for future customers.
At the end of the training session, the apprentices were presented with a certificate of excellence and a goody bag to take away with them, full of exciting Snug supplies! Most importantly, all of the apprentices were added to the Snug Approved Installer database. This means that when customers are looking for reliable tradespeople, the apprentices will appear on Snug’s database of recommended installers.
Steve Dunne, Managing Director at First Trace and Snug Underfloor Heating, said “We are thrilled to be working with St Helens College and their students, alongside C & W Berry Ltd, to provide valuable knowledge and insight into Snug Underfloor Heating. Over recent years underfloor heating has seen a significant increase in customer demand, especially as it is a perfect complement to greener heat sources such as air source heat pumps. We feel it is vital to help support and equip the next generation of tradespeople, to ensure they have well-rounded for successful careers in the industry.”
Chris, Plumbing and Gas Engineering Tutor, added “Opportunities like these are an amazing way for our apprentices to learn and develop their skills, growing their confidence as they work towards becoming highly skilled professionals in the industry.”
