Ideal Heating has opened a new 'centre of excellence' at IQ Winnersh near Reading.
The centre features a showroom for commercial and domestic heating as well as one dedicated to new energy.

Installers will have the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies including solar PV, solar thermal, ground and air source heat pumps, plus the recently released Code Combi, Evomax and Evomod boilers. Products from Keston and Stelrad will also be displayed.

The 6,000 sq ft space includes operational areas where trainees can work on live products as well as interactive class rooms, a theatre for watching videos on large screen, and a 'break out' area for informal discussions. There is also a purpose-built low-level roof where installers can get practical experience working on this less-familiar area of the home.

The opening of the centre coincides with the launch of new courses on domestic and commercial boilers and renewables, which covers all aspects of commissioning, servicing and fault finding. The BPEC courses for new energy solutions are recognised by all Microgeneration Certification Schemes (MCS) and participants are awarded full accreditation upon completion.

Ideal Heating's marketing director James Parkinson said: 'We wanted to create a training centre that not only meets installers' needs but exceeds their expectations. Our courses will not only equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to take their businesses forward, they will prepare them to take our industry into a new era of renewables and energy efficiency.'