Domestic plumbers and heating engineers in Exeter who are still thinking about whether to join the renewable energy revolution are invited to take part in a free training session and find out about funding for training at the same time. The event is being held at Bicton EaRTH on Monday December 16 and will cover courses available in domestic biomass, solar thermal and heat pump installation. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to industry trainers about course content and issues such as MCS accreditation and the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), due in spring 2014, as well as getting up close to the products. We want plumbers and heating engineers to try something practical before committing to a course, so on the day they'll be able to have a go at fixing and flushing a solar thermal system or get their hands on working biomass boilers, explained Graham Waddell, Head of Bicton EaRTH. During the session Bicton EaRTH will be outlining a new £500 training voucher scheme put in place by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) in order to help raise the skill set of domestic heating engineers by reducing the cost of renewable training. Although the details of the scheme are still being finalised, as an approved HETAS biomass training provider we are one of only four HETAS centres nationally where this discount can be used at the current time, said Mr Waddell. The £500 discount will also be applicable to our solar thermal and heat pump courses, he added. Bicton EaRTH is also considering new ways to enable plumbers and heating engineers to undertake training in renewable installation without having to lose blocks of working days. There are plans to offer the solar thermal course in bite sized chunks over a number of months, with the possibility of distance learning for part of the course. If successful, EaRTH will offer the same for other renewable courses. The renewable heating taster session runs from 12.30 to 4.30pm and includes lunch. To book a place, contact David Colbert on 01395 562384 or email DWColbert@bicton.ac.uk.