Member Article

Sun shines on Gentoo trainees

NINE Gentoo employees will be hoping the sun always shines after becoming the first graduates of a new solar panel installation course.

Run by Sunderland College, the Gentoo staff have been learning how to safely install the energy creating and money saving panels to homes across the North East.

Gary Cumiskey, director of vocational skills at Sunderland College, said: “We’ve recently redesigned our training programme to put more emphasis on practical experience and quality.

“This has included introducing new courses and ways of learning. These students are the first to complete and the feedback has been very positive.”

The course is from a new programme of green technology qualifications recognised by City & Guilds and run by Sunderland College for the benefit of employers looking to improve the skills of their staff.

The college offer a full range of micro-renewable training programmes to meet the needs of employers as they retrain staff in accordance with the governments ‘Green Deal’ initiative.

Gary said: “The low-carbon economy is expected to be a major growth area for the North East in the next few years so it’s important people have the appropriate skills to make the most of this opportunity.

“At Sunderland College we have the staff and the expertise necessary to make that happen.”

Allan Thompson, Managing Director of Construction at Gentoo said: “Gentoo is committed to helping its customers and communities live more sustainably and our city-wide solar PV programme has been key to helping households save money on their home energy bill.

“Since 2010 Gentoo has installed over 1800 solar PV systems to homes across Sunderland and ensuring our 30-strong installation team are fully trained and accredited to do so has been key to this achievement.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ian Benet .