A recent report by the UN on the state of the Ozone Layer brings a ray of hope to the darkness that often surrounds news on the environment. Because the use of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances was banned back in the 1980s as part of the Montreal Protocol and the harmful chemicals have been phased out over the following decades, what was a huge hole - measuring nearly 9 million square miles - over Antarctica, could be healed by 2040.

This news will be welcomed by Gavin Davies and Isobel Thomson, joint directors of One Planet Renewables, a training centre in Staffordshire that specialises in green energy training - particularly relating to F-Gas and the maintenance of air and ground source heat pumps.

Isobel and Gavin, who set up the business in 2021 in part of an old colliery in Cannock Chase, both come from a domestic gas background with years of industry experience behind them. They are now qualified trainers and assessors and as the renewables industry has grown they wanted to become part of it, to set-up a business to support the government's goal for net zero.

Isobel explains:

“We understand our world is changing and our responsibility to look after our planet and the environment is forever growing. Our mission at One Planet Renewables is to assist in the promotion of greener energy by providing high quality training to support engineers and installers of renewable heating systems.

“It’s a very exciting time to be involved in this industry and our centre, which has been open for a new year now, offers accredited training in F-gas, energy efficiency, water regulations (WRAS) flammable refrigerants, Unvnented (HWSS) and oxy-fuel brazing. We’ve recently become an LCL Awards accredited centre and are thrilled to be offering some of their qualifications.”

Gavin continues:

“The government’s drive to replace traditional gas heating systems with heat pump technology has initiated a great demand, both for the systems and those who know how to install and look after them. It’s a mistake to think that a heat pump is a one-stop solution to global warming. Like any other heating system, heat pumps require regular servicing and maintenance and we decided to concentrate on that. Our business is specialist, niche if you like, but really important, going forward.

“There’s F-gas in the refrigerated circuits in heat pumps and to ensure that the units are running at peak efficiency, the heat exchangers need to be kept clean. Heat pump engineers need F-gas training and we’re here to provide it!

“LCL Awards is the only Awarding Organisation offering a Level 3 qualification in F-Gas, which is really substantial. We were drawn to LCL because of this and have been very impressed with the support they have given us in setting it all up. They’re very approachable.”

Isobel again:

“At the moment there are just the two of us on the team. We like it that way. We can keep things small and friendly and get to know our learners and their needs. We keep groups small – a maximum of 6 for the F-gas training – so that everyone gets plenty of attention and time to work on the practical side of things.”

Gavin concludes:

​“I grew up in the Welsh Valleys, surrounded by coal mines, so the irony is not lost on me that I now work for the renewables sector in an ex-colliery in the Midlands.

“There’s something very satisfying about the fact that the site, a fossil fuel dinosaur, is now home to us and other twenty-first century businesses with an eye to the future. Our centre is completely refurbished, there’s a café and break-out room on site and we’re fully accessible, with a lift. We’ve installed a fully equipped workshop with rigs for learners to practice on and – with all spaces heated by bio mass boilers – we’re carbon neutral.”

To find out more about One Planet Renewables and their passion to help learners develop the skills they require to work towards a more sustainable future, please click here.

To discover what LCL Awards can do to help you offer the very best renewables training, click here.

Read more about the UN report on the state of the ozone layer, click here.