First cohort of ATU and Unitherm heat pump technicians graduate
THE first cohort of graduates of the new Heat Pump Installation, Commissioning, Maintenance and Servicing programme developed by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Galway-based company Unitherm Heating Systems were presented with their certificate award at a formal ceremony in Unitherm Heating Systems’ new training academy in Glenrock Business Park, Ballybane (Galway).
Minister for State Hildegarde Naughton formally opened the training academy at this event.
A number of Mayo graduates were among those honoured at the presentation event.
The part-time programme was developed by ATU’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Unitherm Heating Systems. It involves 13 days of on-site, practical training, which is delivered once weekly over 13 weeks.
The 20-credit programme was designed to directly address the shortage of skilled labour in energy efficient heat pump technologies. Heat pumps offer an avenue for decarbonising heating systems that traditionally rely on fossil fuel boilers.
The programme is run biannually, and unique as it also covers maintenance and servicing.
The first group of 18 graduates commenced the programme in September 2023, graduating last week. A second cohort are currently in training and will complete their studies by June.
The installers’ portion of the training is aligned to the National Standard Authority of Ireland (NSAI) published National Standard Recommendation for the Design and Installation of Heat Pumps in Homes - S.R. 50-4:2021. Geographically it’s the only offering in the west and northwest region, and graduates of the programme are recognised as having met SEAI’s entry criteria for registration as a renewable heat pump energy installer.
Graduate Paul Brennan, from Cong, said: “The course was good from a hands-on perspective. It brought people out of the college setting into an actual industrial setting where the units are set up and you could physically get to work on them, real-life units, not just parts and components on a desk or shown on a screen and a lecturer talking through them so from a practical side it was excellent.”
Added fellow Ryan Keane, Belmullet: “I really enjoyed the feasibility studies - from my point of view, being an engineer as opposed to a trade background, I appreciated the design aspect more and I really enjoyed that aspect.”
Shane Kelly, director, Unitherm Heating Systems, commented: “The private sector has a really important role to play in moving the decarbonisation effort forward and this is why this collaborative heat pump training programme is so important, as it will help address an immediate skill shortage in our economy.”
Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of ATU School of Engineering, said: “This course sees industry and academia come together to address climate action and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The graduates of the programme will contribute to a sustainable, equitable, and green low-carbon economy.
“The programme is one of several developments that ATU is targeting to ensure that the west of Ireland has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable enterprise and green innovation.”
Anyone interested in pursuing this certificate can visit the ATU website (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering section of ATU’s Online, Flexible and Professional Development Webpage): https://www.atu.ie/flexible/electrical-mechanical-engineering. Here you will find further information on the eligibility criteria, and the portal through which you may apply for a place on the course this September and/or January.