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Welcome to Optimums Training Academy
We provide the following courses, the contents of which are listed further down this page
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Domestic Air Source Heat Pump and Domestic Ground Source Heat Pump (Level 3)
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BPEC Heat Pump Technology and Domestic Air Source Heat Pump (Level 3)
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Water Regulations / Bye laws
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ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Surveying and Calculation of Building Heat Loss
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ABBE Level 3 Award in Understanding the Electrical Obligations of Heat Pump Installation
*The £500 Government funding only applies to the BPEC Heat Pump Systems for candidates working or living in England and is subject to remaining Government budget allocation
We administer the funding application on your behalf so you don't have to do anything to obtain this
The Heat Training Grant is funded by UK Government. You can find out more about the grant here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-heat-pump-installers-to-be-trained-for-fraction-of-the-price
Courses
BPEC Heat Pump Systems
Background
This is a nationally recognised qualification in the installation and maintenance of air source heat pump systems. The qualification is recognised by the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (MCS) registration bodies as an acceptable qualification to join one of their respective schemes
Pre-requisites
Pre-Requisites: (Learners must hold):
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N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Plumbing or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence;
or
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N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Heating and Ventilating (Domestic Installation) or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence;
or
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N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Heating and Ventilating (Industrial and Commercial Installation) or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence;
or
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N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Oil-Fired Technical Services or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence;
or
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N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Gas Installation and Maintenance or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence;
or
Heating installers with experience installing wet central heating systems, evidenced either by Gas Safe (CENWAT), OFTEC (OFT10-105E or OFT15-108W)
PLUS
Water Regs UK Water Regulations/Water Byelaws or equivalent
Course Description
Know the requirements to size, select, install, commission and handover air source heat pump systems (non-refrigerant circuits)
Plan, prepare, install, commission, and maintain air source heat pump systems (non-refrigerant circuits)
You can download a qualification specification here
How long is the course and what is included?
This course is 3 days in total. The cost of the course includes training, assessment, the certification fee and course material.
Where are the courses held?
Courses are held around the UK on demand.
We are able to do this as we have a fully functional mobile training unit which is used for the practical elements of the course.
Learning and be assessment
The Air Source Heat Pump Installation Course entails both classroom and practical training, finishing with a practical & theoretical assessment on day 3.
Course cost
Course cost is usually £695 (less £500 grant funding where applicable) plus £65.50 certification fee plus VAT
Please note, subsidised courses are only available to applicants living in England
Enquire
As courses are held on demand around the UK please contact us so we can let you know of the next courses available
You can download an application form with more information here
Important information
When you attend the course you will need to bring copies of relevant prerequisite certificates. If you do not bring these you will not be able to participate in the course and no refunds will be given
Courses
BPEC Low Temperature Hot Water Heating Systems
Please note: MCS installers wishing to also be responsible for design must hold this qualification
Assessment Information
The BPEC Low Temperature Hot Water Heating Systems is a recommended pre-requisite qualification to allow progression onto the BPEC Level 3 Award in Air Source Heat Pump Systems (Non-refrigerant Circuits)
Although designed as a recommended pre-requisite qualification to allow progression onto the BPEC suite of Heat Pump qualifications, this qualification can also be taken by those experienced operatives wishing to develop their skills in the design of low temperature domestic heating systems
The holder of this qualification is not recognised as a competent hot water and heating systems (low temperature) installer. However, the holder is recognised as being competent to carry out the design of hot water and heating systems (low temperature)
Pre-requisites
Trainees will need to have knowledge of plumbing and the water industry.
Further Information
Training and Assessment is carried out in centre which usually lasts two days. However, some independent studying prior to attending will be required.
This course is recommended for those operatives wishing to design and install Low Temperature Hot Water Heating Systems that use HEAT PUMPS as the heat source.
Useful Information
The qualification is aimed primarily at practicing plumbers and heating engineers who already have an understanding of the fundamental requirements of central heating systems and who wish to design and install energy efficient low temperature hot water heating systems that may use heat pumps as the heat source.
Course cost
Course cost is £425 plus the BPEC certification fee of £35 plus VAT which is payable in advance
Enquire
As courses are held on demand around the UK please contact us so we can let you know of the next courses available
Courses
Water Regulations / Byelaws
Assessment Information
These courses cover the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (England and Wales) and the Water Byelaws 2014 (Scotland) and meet the requirements of WRAS (the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) of which the majority of the UK water companies are members. There are two distinct manuals, one for England/Wales and one for Scotland, as some regulations differ.
The manual for England/Wales covers the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, while the one for Scotland references the Water Byelaws 2014.
Pre-requisites
Trainees will need to have some knowledge of plumbing and the water industry.
Further Information
Training and Assessment is carried out in centre which usually lasts one day. However some independent studying prior to attending will be required.
Certification of this course will go towards some of the entry requirements of meeting the criteria to join a competent person scheme e.g. (APHC) where a recognised plumbing qualification may be needed.
Expiry Information
Water Regulations/Byelaws certificates have no expiry date applied.
Useful Information
The course is for anyone requiring an understanding of water regulations/water byelaws. In particular those wishing to become approved plumbers/contractors. Successful candidates are encouraged to join an approved plumbers/contractors scheme, such as those managed by SNIPEF, APHC, CIPHE, WIAPS, and the regional water utility companies. This enables them to issue a certificate of completion to both the householder and water company.
Please note that other industry related qualifications may be required to join these schemes.
Training Materials
Both manuals consist of twelve modules, an introduction and a glossary. The very comprehensive course starts with intensive training in the 12 modules, followed by the completion of the assessments. There are no practical elements – all training is theoretical. Candidates must successfully pass all the assessments to gain the WRAS/BPEC Water Regulations/Byelaws certificate.
Course cost
Course cost is £190 plus the BPEC certification fee of £59.50 plus VAT is £299.40 which is payable in advance
You will receive an invoice with payment instructions upon confirmation of registration
Enquire
As courses are held on demand around the UK please contact us so we can let you know of the next courses available
You can download an application form with more information here
Courses
ABBE Level 3 Award in Understanding Electrical Obligations for Heat Pump Installation
Qualification Information
To gain a working knowledge of heat pump fundamentals and for learners to be able to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to comply with the key electrical and legislative obligations that apply to heat pumps systems within the Building Services Engineering (BSE) renewable sector
Pre-requisites
There are no formal prerequisites. The course is aimed primarily electricians but will also be of use to those learners who wish to understand the key electrical requirements for heat pump installation and who may need to complete the required applications forms for heat pump installation.
Further Information
Training and Assessment is carried out in a centre or online which usually lasts one day. However some independent studying prior to attending is recommended. The ABBE Qualification Specification can be downloaded here
Useful Information
This unit is about the knowledge and understanding electricians commissioning and installing heat pumps will need. It will look at Government schemes, the difference between heat pumps and fossil fuelled boilers, the principles of operating a heat pump as well as electrical circuit protection devices. It will also cover legionella and the paperwork associated with meeting all the requirements for commissioning a heat pump.
Course cost
Course cost is usually £417.60 plus VAT (the cost includes certification by ABBE
Further details of planned courses will be published soon
Courses
ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Surveying and Calculation of Building Heat Loss
Now including heat loss calculation and floor planning apps from 3 industry leading technology companies
Qualification Information
The ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Surveying and Calculation of Building Heat Loss enables learners to be able to competently survey a building, assess its age & construction, measure and produce floorplans to calculate room by room heat losses, and where appropriate, noise assessments (for Air Source Heat Pump installations).
Upon completion, leaners will be able to specify the requirements of a Heat Pump system to be fitted to a building in place of a fossil fuelled boiler.
This qualification will enable learners to work within the standards of BS EN12831 as required by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
This qualification has been designed to encourage participation in education & training in other related areas by progressing on to:
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Forming a pathway towards becoming an accredited MCS designer
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Providing a baseline of knowledge for prospective domestic energy assessors
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Providing a baseline of knowledge for prospective retrofit assessors
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Providing a baseline of knowledge for prospective heat pump installers
Pre-requisites
There are no formal prerequisites.
This qualification is aimed at qualified Domestic Energy Assessors wishing to enhance their skillset with knowledge of how to specify the design requirements of a heat pump for a building.
A domestic energy assessment qualification is not necessary to complete this qualification. Any persons with an understanding or interest in building energy loss and heat pump system design will be capable of completing this qualification.
Further Information
Training and Assessment is carried out online which usually lasts three days. However some independent studying prior to attending is recommended.
Qualified Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA's) will not need to take the first unit which is one day in duration, however this is strongly recommended.
The ABBE Qualification Specification can be downloaded here
Course cost
Course cost is usually £595 plus VAT - existing DEA's do not need to attend the first day
If you ARE a qualified DEA, OCEA or Commercial EA then you do not need to attend the first day of this course
Further details of planned courses will be published soon