Student Innovation Powers New Vaillant Training Facility at Brighton MET

Innovation, skills development and the future of low-carbon heating took centre stage as Brighton MET College partnered with leading heating manufacturer Vaillant and Optimus Heating to open the newest Vaillant Training Facility

The facility will help equip the industry’s future workforce with the practical skills needed for a
career in plumbing, heating and low-carbon technologies, to support the UK’s transition to
more sustainable heating technologies.

Designed to support both those heading into the industry as well as employers, by equipping
young people with the essential skills, supporting adults looking to upskill or change careers,
and strengthen workforce development across the sector.

Brighton MET students played a key role in the development of the project. Learners from
Plumbing, Carpentry, Multi-Trades and Construction courses helped build the space,
creating a learning environment designed and constructed by students for future students.

One of those students was Papa Asamoah, a former plumbing student, 2024 Brightest Star
award recipient and alumni apprentice at Optimus Heat Pumps. Papa helped design the
centre’s layout and reflected on some of the challenges he has faced as a profoundly deaf
apprentice:

“Sometimes we had a breakdown in communication. I like to work independently without an
interpreter, but that means sometimes we don’t understand each other.

“So, we do use our phones, and we text each other, and that actually is really helpful. And
most of the time, we do understand and sort out any communication problems or barriers.”

Papa represents the next generation of skilled green workers helping to deliver the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, attended the opening and
praised the centre’s impact on skills development and future careers:

“I’m so impressed and blown away by this project, and what has been developed here. This
is a stunning, beautiful campus in east Brighton, and here in this new training centre, you
have bays designed to teach people how to install heat pumps.

“This is truly a world-leading innovation centre, training the young people that we want to get
into the jobs of the future, as well as helping people that may be halfway through their
careers to retrain in this really innovative and new technology.”

Henrik Hansen, Managing Director of Vaillant UK
and Ireland, said:

“The heating industry is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history as we
move towards lower-carbon technologies, and developing the next generation of skilled
installers will be critical to making that transition a success.

“Training facilities such as this, play an important role in helping to build the workforce
needed for the future by giving learners hands-on experience with the technologies and
systems they will encounter in the field.

“At Vaillant, we have invested significantly in training and skills development because we
know that achieving the UK’s decarbonisation ambitions will depend not only on innovation
in technology, but on having a highly skilled workforce with the confidence and expertise to
install, service and support these solutions.

“It is fantastic to see Brighton MET, Optimus Heating and its students come together to
create a facility that will help inspire future careers in the industry and support the long-term
growth of low-carbon heating across the UK.”

Vicki Illingworth, Executive Principal and Deputy Chief Executive of CCG, added:

“This facility is a powerful example of the commitment of both the Chichester College Group
and Brighton MET to our shared net-zero agenda. By supporting this place-based
investment together, we are ensuring that our students are equipped for the jobs of
tomorrow whilst also providing opportunities for employers to upskill and develop their
workforce.”

To find out about courses at Brighton MET College, please click here. To learn more about
Vaillant, please click here. To find out more about Optimus Heating, please click here.