Air source heat pump donation to help students learn

Two state-of-the-art air source heat pump units have been donated to Forth Valley College’s Skills Transition Centre to help enhance student learning.

The two units were donated by Warmworks, which delivers a range of contracts across the UK aimed at helping people to manage their energy costs by improving the energy efficiency of their home. 

The units will be used to provide practical, hands-on learning for students studying plumbing and heating and other courses. 

The heat pumps were slightly damaged and unsuitable for installation in domestic properties, but through Warmworks’ environmental commitments and its partnership with the college, they will still serve a purpose by enhancing the learning experience of Forth Valley students.

For the college, this also reduces the time and cost involved in sourcing training materials.

The partnership is a practical example of the circular economy in action – extending the useful life of products by giving them a second purpose. Together, Warmworks and Forth Valley College are supporting the development of the skilled workforce needed for the transition to a lower-carbon future, while making better use of existing resources.

FVC lecturer Harry Hunter, who is pictured here with the air source heat pumps, said: “We can’t thank Warmworks enough for the donation of these air source heat pump systems. They are top-of-the-range units that have suffered slight damage to the outer casing, but they are fully operational and will be an outstanding resource for our Modern apprentices and professional delegates to familiarise themselves with when they are training here at our Skills Transition Centre. We are sure this equipment will help prepare the next generation of heating engineers for the workplace. Thanks once again to Warmworks for their generous gift; we will make very good use of it.”

John Renwick, Communities Manager at Warmworks, said: “We’re proud to support Forth Valley College by donating these air source heat pumps. As demand for renewable heating solutions continues to grow, it’s vital that learners have access to modern technologies and hands-on training opportunities.

“This initiative provides a practical alternative for materials that are difficult to repurpose, while freeing up valuable storage space for usable stock. At the same time, Forth Valley College benefits from access to a wider range of real-world equipment for training.

“We’re pleased that these units have found a new home at the College’s Skills Transition Centre and are confident they will help equip the next generation of industry professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to support Scotland’s transition to a greener future.”

Warmworks is also the delivery partner for the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland. Since the scheme was launched in 2015, Warmworks has supported more than 50,000 people across the country to stay warm in their homes and save on their energy bills.

For more information on Warmworks, visit: https://www.warmworks.co.uk/.

For more information on FVC’s Skills Transition Centre, visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/about-us/skills-transition-centre.