MP sees how Caerphilly centre will help harness solar energy
MP Wayne David has seen for himself how Caerphilly’s Connaught Academy is helping Wales to harness more energy from the sun.
The Academy specialises in training people in a range of skills – and this year it is becoming the skills centre for the emerging green energy industry in Wales.
Last year the Connaught Academy trained more than 900 people in various trades such as plumbers and electricians, and this year it will train over 300 solar energy engineers from its base on Gallagher Retail Park.
The Academy is owned by Connaught plc, one of the largest social housing management companies in the UK and has a major presence in Wales – working for social housing landlords to maintain and improving homes.
During his visit, Mr. David met people training in trades including plumbing, gas, electrical, water, oil, and health and safety related courses - as well as those currently working toward solar engineering qualifications.
He said: “The Connaught Academy plays an important role within the local community. It is an excellent example of an educational centre which is providing people with the skills necessary to help build a more prosperous Wales.
"It’s great to see Connaught investing in the development of trades people who will be working toward meeting the Welsh Assembly Government’s Wales Housing Quality Standards of 2012.”
Connaught Academy Centre Manager, Derek Downey added, “Connaught believes in investing in the communities where we work. The Academy is the largest of its kind in Wales, and attracts people from a wide area. We train people to attain qualifications such as City & Guilds and Corgi registration. We are helping to ensure that there is no shortage of the skilled people in Wales to upgrade homes and communities.”
The newly-opened Connaught Academy trains staff for its own social housing management business which operates in Wales, and also for external clients including local authorities, housing associations and small and medium enterprises.
Connaught is a key provider of social housing management solutions and compliance services in Wales. The group's Compliance division was recently strengthened with the acquisition of Caerphilly-based National Britannia Holdings, a UK leader in white collar health and safety compliance services.