Shaping the Installers of the future at Futurebuild 2020

9 December 2019

As the need for more sustainable solutions in both new and retrofit projects increases, Futurebuild has announced an exclusive new partnership with standards organisation, MCS, to deliver a dedicated platform for installers to gain cutting edge education and access practical solutions that will help them thrive.

Future Installer will deliver an unrivalled combination of inspiration and innovative tech solutions to ensure that installers are able to meet the evolving wants and needs of end-users and specifiers. Future Installer will be divided into three interactive zones to ensure the best experience for visitors. A key focus will be qualifications, skills and training through an educational zone where MCS will be central to the activity, showcasing their standards and advocating quality as well as bringing stakeholders together.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS said: “Over the last ten years the UK domestic renewable energy market has radically changed leaving some immediate challenges for MCS and our sector. Domestic energy will play a huge part in achieving Government targets of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, in order to increase the scale and reach of small-scale low carbon installations, we need to prepare a generation of Future Installers.

“The installer of the future will need to have the necessary skills, qualifications and training, a grasp of emerging technologies, an appreciation of the need for standards and a willingness to help in building consumer confidence in low carbon technology. Our Zone at Futurebuild 2020 will have a clear focus on preparing for our home-grown energy future, exploring how the full spectrum of renewable energy products and services rolled out by qualified, competent Installers, will contribute to a rapid transition to a smarter, lower carbon homes and communities.”

The collaborative showcase also includes key partners GSHP Association, AceOn Group, RECC and OFTEC, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks. It will promote the mix of renewable technologies including solar PV, solar thermal,  ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and battery storage.

Inspiring keynotes from leading energy companies will also feed into the educational purpose of the programme with businesses such as UK100 Cites, ARUP, Community Energy England, Energy Systems Catapult, Good Energy and Energy all taking part.

Workshops will be delivered across all three days with interactivity at the heart of the Future Installer zone including live demos of heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage to showcase the working parts and installation of products.

Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild commented:

“Educating and helping to inspire installers is critical and so we are delighted to announce our partnership with MCS to help upskill across the domestic energy sector. Situated within the Energy section at Futurebuild 2020, Future Installer is both for MCS certified installers as well as those that work in the wider industry, so we invite people to come along and experience it for themselves.

“MCS wants to drive awareness that the role of the installer must change if we are to respond to the climate emergency. This will involve new processes and new innovations and so Futurebuild is the ideal location to do this, with thousands of industry professionals – from senior decision makers to start up innovators – visiting from around the globe to learn about the latest innovation and develop mutually beneficial relationships.”

With low carbon and renewable energy at the heart of Future Installer, trade association OFTEC are excited to join MCS as a key partner as they prepare for the change to align to new Government policy.

Malcolm Farrow, Head of Communications at OFTEC said, “The UK’s decarbonisation agenda will bring enormous changes to the way we heat buildings and achieving high quality outcomes will be essential as we embrace the challenge of achieving net zero. Excellence always been a central goal of OFTEC’s competent person scheme, so we are excited to be partnering with MCS on their Future Installer stand.”

Heat pump technology will play a major role in meeting the Government target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve the installation rate required to meet this ambitious goal, significant focus will need to be placed on retraining the existing heating and plumbing workforce to become the heat pump installers of the future. The Ground Source Heat Pump Association Chairman, Bean Beanland said: “In being a part of Future Installer we are looking to inspire and motivate visitors into taking the first step to becoming a heat pump installer. The industry is growing at an ever increasing rate and to keep up with the demand, the industry must ensure it has a trained and competent workforce in place to take up the challenge. The GSHPA is working highly collaboratively with MCS and others to develop the training programmes that will not only deliver the workforce, but which will also provide fossil fuel technicians and plumbing companies with a solid pathway for business continuity as the high carbon era comes to an end. This is especially important for all the family firms which are so prevalent in the heating sector.”

Futurebuild 2020 takes place 3rd – 5th March at ExCeL London. To come and visit us, register for your complimentary ticket here.