Staffordshire Training pushes the boundaries to win LCL Awards Innovation trophy
22 Jul 2025
Gareth Hassall and Matt Ramsell set up Staffordshire Training Services in 2022, keen to put roots down close to home after long careers working and training in the gas industry. Being relatively new to the game, they were delighted to have won the Innovation Award at our Awards event in Birmingham last month and to be shortlisted for the Green Centre Award.
For the LCL Innovation Award our judges were looking for a centre that demonstrated outstanding creativity and forward-thinking in its approach to training delivery, course design, and technological advancement. Stewart Clements of HHIC, Charlotte Lee of the HPA, Brett Forster from NAPIT, and Hattie Hassan MBE, founder of Stopcocks, were impressed with Staffordshire Training’s adoption of cutting-edge software which gives candidates the opportunity to learn through practicing skills in augmented reality (AR) situations.
They said:
“This is a brilliant way to put learners into real situations but keep them safe at the same time. AR can be used to create any scenario, to help with problem solving.”
We asked Gareth Halsall to explain his decision to work with AR:
“I was keen to push innovation and develop a way to supplement the theoretical and practical training we deliver in-house. We worked with Metaware to develop a bespoke AR training package which gives our learners the chance to experience what it’s like working in the real world from the safety of the centre.
“Initially the scheme was accessible through a screen on a PC or tablet as well as an oculus, which would fit onto learners’ heads, but we found there were issues with the oculus, when some people felt seasick. That led us to opt for the screen-based provision, which works very well.
“I’d say that our augmented reality training makes up around 10% of the total learning experience, and it works very well for the delivery of core modules such as health and safety awareness; PPE; safe working; working at heights; the use of access equipment for example. Providing plenty of ways to stretch and challenge our candidates.
“For our heat pump training candidates can access an augmented version of a homeowners’ property, and work through designing an air or ground source system. It gives them the opportunity to interact with a customer, install, commission the system, and then practice fault finding. The scenarios have built-in learning and knowledge testing opportunities which help cement training and identify any gaps in knowledge that need further support from our tutors.
“For each learner the platform generates a report with performance outcomes, which is a useful tool for us. On qualifying, candidates have access to the system for six months, providing support and back-up when they step into the world of work.
“This futuristic approach is working well and gives our training centre a USP that many local providers can’t offer. As a private training facility, we’re able to be more flexible than our local colleges, and we’ve made the most of this.
“To further our candidates’ understanding of Low Temperature Design we have partnered with the software company, Heat Engineer, to develop a programme where candidates get to work on real-life scenarios in multiple types of property. This experience is invaluable in helping them with surveys and heat loss calculations before they go on to design systems.
“We are part of a local group of educators called the Staffordshire Providers Network. Made up from a blend of independent training providers and colleges, from different sectors, with different specialities, we meet regularly to share good practice and learn from each other’s’ experiences. Our common goal is to offer the communities within Staffordshire and the surrounding counties the best training provision we can.
“Community is important to use, so we have teamed up with a one hundred year-old plumbing and heating merchants, Jones and Shuffs in Stoke on Trent, who built their own sustainable home, and now provide local engineers with accredited training. This has enabled installers in the region, looking to upskill into the green technology market, the chance to learn skills for the future in an environment they trust. We also work with Midlands Net Zero Hub to develop and lead the way in the up skilling of gas engineers, plumbers across to heat pump technologies.
“We work hard to ensure that we are up to date with industry breakthroughs, keeping our finger on the pulse of the future shaping of our sector. Being informed about the latest trends, developments and possibilities is important in informing our training and staff development.
“Winning this award and being short-listed for the Green Award is a real endorsement of the work we do. It’s important that we are seen as a centre that can be counted on, as leaders in the provision of training for our chosen specialisms. I’m thrilled to have won the Innovation Award and feel that this validation will help us move forward with our plans.”
If you’d like to find out more about Staffordshire Training Services, please click here.
Pictured above: images from the augmented reality training software
Gareth Hassall and Matt Ramsell set up Staffordshire Training Services in 2022, keen to put roots down close to home after long careers working and training in the gas industry. Being relatively new to the game, they were delighted to have won the Innovation Award at our Awards event in Birmingham last month and to be shortlisted for the Green Centre Award.
For the LCL Innovation Award our judges were looking for a centre that demonstrated outstanding creativity and forward-thinking in its approach to training delivery, course design, and technological advancement. Stewart Clements of HHIC, Charlotte Lee of the HPA, Brett Forster from NAPIT, and Hattie Hassan MBE, founder of Stopcocks, were impressed with Staffordshire Training’s adoption of cutting-edge software which gives candidates the opportunity to learn through practicing skills in augmented reality (AR) situations.
They said:
“This is a brilliant way to put learners into real situations but keep them safe at the same time. AR can be used to create any scenario, to help with problem solving.”
We asked Gareth Halsall to explain his decision to work with AR:
“I was keen to push innovation and develop a way to supplement the theoretical and practical training we deliver in-house. We worked with Metaware to develop a bespoke AR training package which gives our learners the chance to experience what it’s like working in the real world from the safety of the centre.
“Initially the scheme was accessible through a screen on a PC or tablet as well as an oculus, which would fit onto learners’ heads, but we found there were issues with the oculus, when some people felt seasick. That led us to opt for the screen-based provision, which works very well.
“I’d say that our augmented reality training makes up around 10% of the total learning experience, and it works very well for the delivery of core modules such as health and safety awareness; PPE; safe working; working at heights; the use of access equipment for example. Providing plenty of ways to stretch and challenge our candidates.
“For our heat pump training candidates can access an augmented version of a homeowners’ property, and work through designing an air or ground source system. It gives them the opportunity to interact with a customer, install, commission the system, and then practice fault finding. The scenarios have built-in learning and knowledge testing opportunities which help cement training and identify any gaps in knowledge that need further support from our tutors.
“For each learner the platform generates a report with performance outcomes, which is a useful tool for us. On qualifying, candidates have access to the system for six months, providing support and back-up when they step into the world of work.
“This futuristic approach is working well and gives our training centre a USP that many local providers can’t offer. As a private training facility, we’re able to be more flexible than our local colleges, and we’ve made the most of this.
“To further our candidates’ understanding of Low Temperature Design we have partnered with the software company, Heat Engineer, to develop a programme where candidates get to work on real-life scenarios in multiple types of property. This experience is invaluable in helping them with surveys and heat loss calculations before they go on to design systems.
“We are part of a local group of educators called the Staffordshire Providers Network. Made up from a blend of independent training providers and colleges, from different sectors, with different specialities, we meet regularly to share good practice and learn from each other’s’ experiences. Our common goal is to offer the communities within Staffordshire and the surrounding counties the best training provision we can.
“Community is important to use, so we have teamed up with a one hundred year-old plumbing and heating merchants, Jones and Shuffs in Stoke on Trent, who built their own sustainable home, and now provide local engineers with accredited training. This has enabled installers in the region, looking to upskill into the green technology market, the chance to learn skills for the future in an environment they trust. We also work with Midlands Net Zero Hub to develop and lead the way in the up skilling of gas engineers, plumbers across to heat pump technologies.
“We work hard to ensure that we are up to date with industry breakthroughs, keeping our finger on the pulse of the future shaping of our sector. Being informed about the latest trends, developments and possibilities is important in informing our training and staff development.
“Winning this award and being short-listed for the Green Award is a real endorsement of the work we do. It’s important that we are seen as a centre that can be counted on, as leaders in the provision of training for our chosen specialisms. I’m thrilled to have won the Innovation Award and feel that this validation will help us move forward with our plans.”
If you’d like to find out more about Staffordshire Training Services, please click here.
Pictured above: images from the augmented reality training software