HEATING engineers are linking modern boilers with satellite technology thanks to a new training centre that connects a college with cutting edge industry.
Darlington College is hosting Worcester Bosch’s latest training facility in a partnership to train the next generation of engineers.
Apprentices and fitters will be able to explore the intricacies of the latest generation of systems that link heating systems to mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets.
Worcester Bosch has provided Darlington College with a number of gas condensing boilers in the past and has now added a full range of state of the art condensing oil boilers which will enable tutors to train out of the facility to the benefit of local engineers and apprentices.
Worcester Bosch and college tutors will be able to use the state of the art facility to stay in tune with the latest technology, legislation, fault finding and best practice.
Modern heating systems can now be operated remotely using tablets and smart phones maximising the efficiency of domestic supplies and minimising the costs.
Worcester Bosch college links liaison officer Tony Fothergill said: “I am delighted with the progress made at this college. Worcester Bosch partners with colleges throughout the UK and Darlington College is just one of five to be given the College Links Plus status through our partnership with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Hearting Engineers.
“This will allow Darlington College tutors and apprentices alike to access the benefits of CIPHE membership at no cost to the college, which I know will be a much-valued resource.”
Darlington College construction tutor Ken Oldfield said: “This partnership with Worcester will ensure the very highest of standards in training for the region’s engineers.”
Worcester technical sales manager Eric Short added: “It is a fantastic facility for installers, employers and students in which they will be able to keep right up to date with the latest fault-finding techniques, technology and legislative requirements.”
For brothers Ross and Karl Hawes the initiative marks a long association with Darlington College.
The owners of Richmond-based K H Heating Ltd, they both studied at the college and now use the facility to train their apprentices.
“College tutors keep us fully informed about how our apprentices are performing, which is great, so it is a really great facility for us,” said Karl.
Employer Andy Thomas, who runs Darlington-based Blackwell Heating, added: “For us the college is about 90 seconds drive away, which is fantastic. It is a really impressive facility.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.