Futurebuild 2020: Shaping the installers of the future

As the need for more sustainable solutions in both new and retrofit projects increases, Futurebuild has announced an exclusive new partnership with standards organisation, MCS, to deliver a dedicated platform for installers to gain cutting edge education and access practical solutions that will help them thrive.

This comes as it has also been announced that Worcester Bosch, Vaillant & Viessman will all be featuring at the show, which commences tomorrow (Tuesday 3 March).

Future Installer will deliver an unrivalled combination of inspiration and innovative tech solutions, to ensure installers have the capability to meet the evolving wants and needs of end-users and specifiers. 

Future Installer will be divided into three interactive zones, to guarantee the best experience for visitors.

A key focus will be qualifications, skills and training, through an educational zone where MCS will be central to the activity, demonstrating their standards and advocating quality as well as bringing stakeholders together.

MCS certified installers will showcase Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps, along with Solar PV equipment.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, commented: “Over the last ten years the UK domestic renewable energy market has radically changed leaving some immediate challenges for MCS and our sector.

“Domestic energy will play a huge part in achieving Government targets of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, in order to increase the scale and reach of small-scale low carbon installations, we need to prepare a generation of Future Installers.

“The installer of the future will need to have the necessary skills, qualifications and training, a grasp of emerging technologies, an appreciation of the need for standards and a willingness to help in building consumer confidence in low carbon technology.

“Our Zone at Futurebuild 2020 will have a clear focus on preparing for our home-grown energy future, exploring how the full spectrum of renewable energy products and services rolled out by qualified, competent Installers, will contribute to a rapid transition to a smarter, lower carbon homes and communities.”

The collaborative showcase includes key partners GSHP Association, AceOn Group, RECC, Groundtherm, Matrix Energy Systems, Solar Sense, the Solar Trade Association, Thermal Earth, Viessman and OFTEC.

It will promote the mix of renewable technologies including solar PV, solar thermal, ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and battery storage.

Inspiring keynotes from leading energy companies will also feed into the educational purpose of the programme, with businesses such as UK100 Cites, ARUP, Community Energy England, Energy Systems Catapult, Good Energy and Energy all taking part.

Workshops will be delivered throughout all three days with interactivity at the heart of the Future Installer zone, including live demos of heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage to showcase the working parts and installation of products.

Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild, commented: “Educating and helping to inspire installers is critical and so we are delighted to announce our partnership with MCS to help upskill across the domestic energy sector.

“Situated within the Energy section at Futurebuild 2020, Future Installer is both for MCS certified installers as well as those that work in the wider industry, so we invite people to come along and experience it for themselves. 

“MCS wants to drive awareness that the role of the installer must change if we are to respond to the climate emergency. This will involve new processes and new innovations and so Futurebuild is the ideal location to do this, with thousands of industry professionals – from senior decision makers to start up innovators – visiting from around the globe to learn about the latest innovation and develop mutually beneficial relationships.”

With low carbon and renewable energy at the heart of Future Installer, trade association OFTEC are looking forward to joining MCS as a key partner, as it prepares for the change to align to new Government policy.

Malcolm Farrow, Head of Communications at OFTEC, talked about the company’s appearance at the show: “The UK’s decarbonisation agenda will bring enormous changes to the way we heat buildings and achieving high quality outcomes will be essential as we embrace the challenge of achieving net zero.

“Excellence always been a central goal of OFTEC’s competent person scheme so we are delighted to be partnering with MCS on their FutureInstaller stand.”

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