The Energy Training AcademySocial Enterprise, The Energy Training Academy was set up in September 2021 and began trading in February 2023, with the core aim of upskilling heating engineers in the installation of low carbon heating solutions to address the national skills gap and support the Scottish Government targets for renewable energy installation and emissions reduction. 

They are now recognised as Scotland’s leading renewable training provider, delivering training to SME’s as well as large corporates such as Octopus Energy and Deakin. They have recently opened a second location in Glasgow, have partnered up with Midlothian Council to deliver a green skills programme and continue to develop cutting edge programmes to address the issues in the heating industry, the latest being a career change programme aimed at ex-military personnel. 

Business Gateway Midlothian and Economic Development support provided: 

  • Business Gateway Midlothian supported at pre-start phase with guidance on social enterprise constitution, business planning, partnership opportunities to develop a sustainable enterprise. 
  • Introduction to Firstport resulting in £300k Catalyst Loan, largest award by Firstport at the time. 
  • Connection to Midlothian CLLE team to support employability programmes. 
  • Successful awarding of LACER Social Enterprise Start up and Grow Grant and the LACER Green Transition fund to support the installation of solar panels and related green technology to their facility in Hardengreen. 
  • Inclusion in Midlothian Council Economic Development's Net Zero Nation Carbon Accounting programme. 
  • Successful application to UKSPF to fit out the conference centre at Hardengreen, also financially supported by Vattenfall Energy, FES Group, SAV Systems, PPSL District Heating LTD, Kingspan Group and ThermaMech. 
  • Delivery Partner for the UKSPF Green Skills Programme to provide fully funded places to qualify in Heat Pump and Solar Panel & Battery Storage to local heating engineers and electricians increasing the number of low carbon heating solution installers in Midlothian. 
Find out more about The Energy Training Academy