19 March 2025
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STIEBEL ELTRON UK has expanded its training centre at its Wirral headquarters to double its capacity as the company looks to inspire the next generation of installers.
The expansion saw STIEBEL ELTRON transform a 20,000 sq. ft unit at its headquarters, which it acquired last year, into a new training facility which will allow the company to accommodate up to 32 installers at any given time, giving them hands-on experience with the latest heat pump and ventilation technologies.
As part of the development, a dedicated room for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) has been created, providing trainees with practical insights into energy-efficient ventilation solutions.
Coinciding with the expansion, STIEBEL ELTRON has appointed Shaun Walsh, who joined STIEBEL ELTRON three years ago, as Training Manager to oversee the company’s training operations and curriculum.
Shaun first joined STIEBEL ELTRON as a Warehouse Operative, before becoming a Technical Advisor, and will bring in-depth knowledge of heat pump technologies and their installation to the role.
With STIEBEL ELTRON having trained over 600 installers throughout 2024, the new training facility arrives at a time when qualified installers are needed to drive the Government’s low-carbon building agenda forward.
The Government is currently targeting 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028, with it estimated that the number of qualified technicians would need to rise to 27,000 to achieve this.
While the latest data from the Heat Pump Association shows an increase of qualified installers from 3,000 in 2022 to more than 9,000 in 2024, this would need to triple to reach the Government’s ambitions.
STIEBEL ELTRON’s expanded training centre aims to support this, with new-to-industry trainees able to experience the company’s training, which covers the basics of heat pump installation and gives an understanding of the industry.
For more experienced attendees, the company delivers advanced training for installers, providing them with essential skills and comprehensive technical knowledge to support the transition towards renewable heating.
The courses are designed to cater for heating engineers wishing to transition from boiler installation knowledge of different technologies and STIEBEL ELTRON products.
The new training suite will allow trainees to get to grips with a range of ground and air source heat pumps which vary in size and shape and are used in different situations, such as in commercial settings, houses, or flats.
As well as offering in-person courses, STIEBEL ELTRON provides online training with its Heat Pump Pass course for newcomers to the renewable heating sector, and its Heat Pump Pass 2 for more experienced professionals.
Mark McManus, Managing Director, STIEBEL ELTRON UK said: “If the UK is to successfully transition to renewable heating technologies, it’s crucial that we increase the number of installers equipped to fit them for both consumers and businesses.
“At STIEBEL ELTRON, we understand the importance of not only supplying advanced technology but also empowering installers with the knowledge and skills to work with it confidently.
“That’s why we have expanded our training centre so that we can provide even greater support for professionals, whether they’re new to the industry or experienced veterans. We’re excited to welcome the next round of trainees and to share our expertise with them.”
Shaun Walsh, Training Manager at STIEBEL ELTRON UK, said: "Stepping into this role is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of renewable heating in the UK.
“Our goal is to provide installers with hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge so they can confidently embrace heat pump technology. With the demand for renewable heating growing rapidly, this training centre will play a vital role in upskilling professionals and supporting the industry’s transition to a more sustainable future.”
