Situated thirty miles from the company’s Swindon headquarters, Newbury College approached Grant UK to ask if they could deliver a heat pump training session as part of its Year 1 T Level students’ plumbing and heating studies. Becoming one of the College’s Skills Partners, Grant UK welcomed the first student visit in January.
The group of 10 students enjoyed a tour of the company’s facilities, including its Training Academy with dedicated air source heat pump workshop. Here the students were able to get hands on with heat pumps while Technical Sales Support Engineer Shaun McCarthy shared insights into electric heating solutions and their vital role in decarbonising home heating.
Useful insight
The feedback on the visit was incredibly positive, with one of the students commenting: “The team at Grant UK were very welcoming and informative on its technology. They provided a useful insight as to how heat pumps operate, and how Grant UK operates as a business.
“This was probably the best employer engagement activity I have done with the college.”
Sarah Mackfall, Industry Placement Co-Ordinator at Newbury College, commented: “As a careers professional, I believe strongly in the value of employer engagement. To be allowed into the world of a business, through visits such as the one organised with Grant UK, gives the students ideas they maybe hadn’t considered as to which route they may go down. It is always thought provoking for them.”
“Site visits and industry placement opportunities are such a key element of the T Levels,” adds Nick Thomas, T Level BSE Course at Newbury College. “The trip to Grant UK helped with reinforcing the curriculum in real life, real workplaces. This adds value to the learning experience, making the connection between classroom and industry.”
With plans for further visits this year, Grant UK is looking forward to supporting more Newbury College students to develop their knowledge of low carbon heating technologies.
Image provided by Grant UK