Green Centre Award winner: Daikin Manchester Training Academy is helping heating engineers make the move to heat pumps
09 Sep 2026
Pictured left to right: Neill Ovenden, Operations Director at LCL Awards, Daniel Jackson, UK Training Manager
Moving from traditional heating systems to heat pumps requires more than a qualification – installers need the practical experience and confidence to apply their knowledge in the field. That's the challenge Daikin Manchester Training Academy is helping to address through its practical approach to renewable training.
One judge praised the Academy's "focused training on future technologies" and its commitment to working closely with employers and industry partners to ensure training reflects real workforce needs.
For Daikin Product Training Manager, Ian Judd, the award recognises the dedication of the entire team behind the Academy.
"Winning the Green Centre Award is a tremendous achievement for the entire Daikin Training team," he said.
"It is recognition of the hard work, expertise and dedication that our trainers, support staff and wider business have invested in creating a first-class learning environment for the HVAC industry."
Bridging the gap between qualification and competence
Purpose-built to support the growing demand for renewable skills, the Daikin Manchester Training Academy combines classroom learning with extensive practical experience using live heat pump systems.
Learners undertake installation, commissioning, servicing and fault-finding exercises within realistic training environments that mirror real-life installations, helping bridge the gap between gaining a qualification and becoming a capable installer.
According to Ian, practical experience is central to developing the skills needed to work with renewable technologies.
"Hands-on experience is essential because heat pump technology can only truly be understood by working with it." he said.
"By allowing learners to interact with live systems in a controlled environment, they can develop confidence, ask questions, make mistakes and learn from them before applying their knowledge in customers' homes."
Preparing engineers for the renewable transition
Recognising that many learners are experienced gas engineers moving into renewable technologies, the Academy has developed a structured training approach that extends beyond technical instruction.
Alongside LCL Awards qualifications, delegates receive additional guidance on heat pump systems, specification, customer engagement and business development, as part of a structured ‘heat pump bootcamp' approach designed to help them build successful renewable installation businesses.
Ian believes one of the biggest barriers facing installers making the move into renewable heating is becoming familiar with new technologies.
"Many installers have extensive experience working with traditional heating systems but may be less familiar with heat pumps and other renewable solutions," he explained.
"By combining classroom learning with hands-on exercises, we help remove uncertainty and give installers the technical understanding and confidence needed to deliver high-quality installations."
Practical learning, enhanced by innovation
The Academy enhances practical learning through a combination of virtual reality technology, interactive control displays and blended eLearning.
Ian explains, “We have created a training environment where installers can work with the technologies they will encounter in the field, gaining the hands-on experience needed to install, commission and maintain our heat pump systems with confidence.”
These tools allow learners to practise installation techniques and fault diagnosis in a safe environment while reinforcing the practical experience gained through working on live renewable systems
The Academy combines practical workshops, scenario-based troubleshooting, interactive classroom sessions, VR-supported exercises and digital eLearning modules, giving learners different ways to explore installation, diagnostics and fault-finding alongside their work with live systems.
Leading by example
As a dedicated renewable training facility, the Daikin Manchester demonstrates sustainability through the practical integration of renewable technologies within its own training environment and operational activities.
Working heat pump systems, low-temperature heating technologies and realistic domestic installations allow learners to experience how renewable systems operate, reinforcing best practice throughout every stage of training.
The Academy also works closely with colleges, apprentices and new entrants to encourage more people into renewable careers, while funded training initiatives have helped remove barriers for engineers looking to upskill. Across the wider Daikin training programme, funded initiatives have enabled more than 200 engineers to develop renewable skills and qualifications, helping to reduce financial barriers to training.
For Ian, seeing that knowledge translate into confidence on the job is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Academy’s work.
"One of the most rewarding pieces of feedback we receive is when installers tell us they now feel confident taking on their first heat pump project after completing training with us," he said.
"Many installers comment on the value of the practical sessions and how the hands-on experience helps simplify what can initially seem like a complex technology."
Looking ahead
Training programmes are continually updated to reflect changing legislation, new technologies and evolving industry standards, ensuring learners remain equipped for the future of low-carbon heating.
The Academy already incorporates VR-supported exercises alongside practical workshops, scenario-based troubleshooting and digital eLearning while continuing to explore new ways to support learners beyond the classroom through ongoing technical development and skills progression pathways.
Learners also benefit from ongoing mentoring and technical guidance after completing their qualifications, helping them transition successfully into renewable installation work.
Looking ahead, Ian believes training providers have a critical role to play in supporting the UK's transition to net zero.
"The Training team's ambition is simple: to help raise industry standards, support the adoption of heat pump technologies, and ensure installers are fully prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead."
Pictured left to right: Neill Ovenden, Operations Director at LCL Awards, Daniel Jackson, UK Training Manager
Moving from traditional heating systems to heat pumps requires more than a qualification – installers need the practical experience and confidence to apply their knowledge in the field. That's the challenge Daikin Manchester Training Academy is helping to address through its practical approach to renewable training.
One judge praised the Academy's "focused training on future technologies" and its commitment to working closely with employers and industry partners to ensure training reflects real workforce needs.
For Daikin Product Training Manager, Ian Judd, the award recognises the dedication of the entire team behind the Academy.
"Winning the Green Centre Award is a tremendous achievement for the entire Daikin Training team," he said.
"It is recognition of the hard work, expertise and dedication that our trainers, support staff and wider business have invested in creating a first-class learning environment for the HVAC industry."
Bridging the gap between qualification and competence
Purpose-built to support the growing demand for renewable skills, the Daikin Manchester Training Academy combines classroom learning with extensive practical experience using live heat pump systems.
Learners undertake installation, commissioning, servicing and fault-finding exercises within realistic training environments that mirror real-life installations, helping bridge the gap between gaining a qualification and becoming a capable installer.
According to Ian, practical experience is central to developing the skills needed to work with renewable technologies.
"Hands-on experience is essential because heat pump technology can only truly be understood by working with it." he said.
"By allowing learners to interact with live systems in a controlled environment, they can develop confidence, ask questions, make mistakes and learn from them before applying their knowledge in customers' homes."
Preparing engineers for the renewable transition
Recognising that many learners are experienced gas engineers moving into renewable technologies, the Academy has developed a structured training approach that extends beyond technical instruction.
Alongside LCL Awards qualifications, delegates receive additional guidance on heat pump systems, specification, customer engagement and business development, as part of a structured ‘heat pump bootcamp' approach designed to help them build successful renewable installation businesses.
Ian believes one of the biggest barriers facing installers making the move into renewable heating is becoming familiar with new technologies.
"Many installers have extensive experience working with traditional heating systems but may be less familiar with heat pumps and other renewable solutions," he explained.
"By combining classroom learning with hands-on exercises, we help remove uncertainty and give installers the technical understanding and confidence needed to deliver high-quality installations."
Practical learning, enhanced by innovation
The Academy enhances practical learning through a combination of virtual reality technology, interactive control displays and blended eLearning.
Ian explains, “We have created a training environment where installers can work with the technologies they will encounter in the field, gaining the hands-on experience needed to install, commission and maintain our heat pump systems with confidence.”
These tools allow learners to practise installation techniques and fault diagnosis in a safe environment while reinforcing the practical experience gained through working on live renewable systems
The Academy combines practical workshops, scenario-based troubleshooting, interactive classroom sessions, VR-supported exercises and digital eLearning modules, giving learners different ways to explore installation, diagnostics and fault-finding alongside their work with live systems.
Leading by example
As a dedicated renewable training facility, the Daikin Manchester demonstrates sustainability through the practical integration of renewable technologies within its own training environment and operational activities.
Working heat pump systems, low-temperature heating technologies and realistic domestic installations allow learners to experience how renewable systems operate, reinforcing best practice throughout every stage of training.
The Academy also works closely with colleges, apprentices and new entrants to encourage more people into renewable careers, while funded training initiatives have helped remove barriers for engineers looking to upskill. Across the wider Daikin training programme, funded initiatives have enabled more than 200 engineers to develop renewable skills and qualifications, helping to reduce financial barriers to training.
For Ian, seeing that knowledge translate into confidence on the job is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Academy’s work.
"One of the most rewarding pieces of feedback we receive is when installers tell us they now feel confident taking on their first heat pump project after completing training with us," he said.
"Many installers comment on the value of the practical sessions and how the hands-on experience helps simplify what can initially seem like a complex technology."
Looking ahead
Training programmes are continually updated to reflect changing legislation, new technologies and evolving industry standards, ensuring learners remain equipped for the future of low-carbon heating.
The Academy already incorporates VR-supported exercises alongside practical workshops, scenario-based troubleshooting and digital eLearning while continuing to explore new ways to support learners beyond the classroom through ongoing technical development and skills progression pathways.
Learners also benefit from ongoing mentoring and technical guidance after completing their qualifications, helping them transition successfully into renewable installation work.
Looking ahead, Ian believes training providers have a critical role to play in supporting the UK's transition to net zero.
"The Training team's ambition is simple: to help raise industry standards, support the adoption of heat pump technologies, and ensure installers are fully prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead."