The Vaillant Podcast

Future Talent: A conversation with Mark Wilkins, Neil Jones, Emma Bohan, and Sean Davidson

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

Having enough trained heating engineers is essential to the long-term success of the plumbing and heating industry and will play a huge part in achieving the Government’s target to decarbonise the nation’s homes. But how can we attract future talent and ensure the industry in on track to achieve targets of 600k heat pump installs per year? 

The skills gap is much talked about, so what does the journey for new talent keen to join the industry look like? This episode will look at what apprenticeships can offer those starting out; how they work, and how have apprenticeships evolved to include low carbon technologies? We’ll also look at what installers thinking of taking on an apprentice need to consider and what support is available.  

Joining host Mark Wilkins on this episode of The Vaillant Podcast are Neil Jones, Emma Bohan and Sean Davidson.

Neil Jones is the Senior Product Manager at the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education, an employer led organisation that supports technical education and apprenticeships in the United Kingdom.

Emma Bohan is the General Manager at IMS Heat Pumps, a company with over 25 years’ experience and one of the leading Ground & Air Source Heat Pump installation experts in the UK. 

And finally, Sean Davidson, one of seven apprentices currently employed by IMS.

Episode links and resources

For more information and courses from the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IFATE), visit: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/

For advice on the online and in-person training options from Vaillant, visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/

For employers looking to hire an apprentice or, for people looking to become an apprentice, visit: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/#

To find an apprenticeship, visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

As homeowners look to the ways they can decarbonise their home heating and reduce their impact on the planet, in this this episode of The Vaillant Podcast, we’ll be looking at some of the considerations homeowners may have when making the switch to heat pumps.

We’ll cover some of the practicalities relating to the every-day running for a homeowner, whilst also discussing servicing tips and how installers can effectively sell the technology to customers.

Joining host Simon Whysall on The Vaillant Podcast are Chris Rose and Alastair Macewan. 

Having previously been a member of GreenPeace, Chris Rose is the Director of Campaign Strategy Ltd, a communications consultancy working for public sector, NGO, and private sector clients. Over the past two decades, Chris, together with his wife, have worked to renovate his home in Norfolk, which included installing a Vaillant heat pump in 2020.

Alastair Macewan is the owner of Ecoplumb, a coastal heating and plumbing company, specialising in renewables, gas and oil for domestic, leisure and marine. Starting the company in 2004, it was born after Alastair saw the need for a move towards a more sustainable future.

Episode links and resources

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers with diversifying into renewable solutions, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For more information on BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme): https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus

Learn more about our award-winning aroTHERM plus here:

https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/arotherm-plus-71424.html

For installers keen to learn more about the MCS certification scheme, visit https://mcscertified.com/

Renewable technology training courses available from Vaillant can be found at: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/online-training/ 

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing.

In this episode, we’ll be covering the topic of light commercial heating systems and how they differ from their domestic counterparts, before going on to address some of the misconceptions domestic installers may have when it comes to light commercial installations.

Joining host Simon Whysall in this episode of The Vaillant Podcast are Vaillant’s Regional Business Manager for Commercial Systems, Mike Branson and installer, Shaun Cooney from Banstead Boilers, who regular installs light commercial boilers and has worked in the industry for more than 25 years.

Episode links and resources

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For more information on Vaillant’s portfolio of light commercial boilers, visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/larger-output-boilers/

For more information on Vaillant’s commercial systems and accessories, including low loss headers and plate exchangers visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/larger-output-boilers/system-accessories/

For more information on Vaillant’s range of controls: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/controls-and-thermostats/

For advice on the online and in-centre training options from Vaillant, visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/

For more information on Vaillant’s Advance scheme visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/advance-loyalty-scheme/

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing.
 
With the topic of hydrogen remaining high on the agenda for those working across all areas of the plumbing and heating industry, Vaillant recently hosted an in-depth roundtable which brought together installers, local housing providers and DNV, which is involved in several hydrogen demonstration sites, to explore the topic and what it could mean for the future of home heating.

Joining Paul Honeyman, head of product management at Vaillant, are Dan Allason, head of section - research and innovation at DNV, Grant Thommasson from For Housing, and installers Phil Clarke and Keighton Hewer.

Episode links and resources

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers with diversifying into renewable solutions, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode, we’ll be covering the topic of women in heating and chatting to a couple of guests to ask about what inspired them to consider a career in plumbing and heating, any misconceptions they have had to deal with, and what can be done to encourage more women into the industry.

Joining host Simon Whysall on The Vaillant Podcast are Heather Clark and Clare King.

Heather Clark has been in the industry around 14 years. She completed a four-year apprenticeship and went on to start her own company, Clark Gas Ltd. Heather is also a Vaillant service agent, and she is located in Nottingham.

Clare King runs her own business, Pink Lady Plumbing and Heating, providing excellent service to those in Northampton and surrounding areas. She specialises in power flushing, boiler installations and repairs, as well as under floor heating installations. 

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For more information from Pink Lady Plumbing, please visit https://www.pinkladyplumbing.co.uk/ and follow on Facebook.

 Low Temperature Systems Part 2 with Mark Wilkins, Martin Butcher, Simon Melbourne, and Christian Ford

 The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

On the second part of this podcast, we’ll be looking at what installers need to know when it comes to having conversations with homeowners around low temperature heating systems and their benefits, together with the changes installers should be aware of when it comes to servicing low temperature systems.

As with the first part of this episode, Mark Wilkins is again joined by Martin Butcher, Technical Quality Manager at Vaillant, Simon Melbourne, System Sales and Design Manager at Vaillant and Christian ford from Indigo Renewables.

Christian Ford is a director at Indigo Renewables in Leicestershire. Established over 13 years ago, its team has over 30 years’ experience in the heating and renewable sector, providing specialist installation of air and ground source heat pumps along with biomass and solar thermal systems across the whole of the midlands region.

 Want to find out more about low temperature heating systems?

You can find part one of this podcast here: LINK once ep is live

To find out more about Vaillant’s low temperature heating systems, please visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/

Looking for information on the training courses Vaillant offers, please visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/

Finally, to listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For more information from Indigo Renewables, please visit https://indigorenewables.co.uk/ and follow on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Low Temperature Systems Part 1 with Mark Wilkins, Martin Butcher, Simon Melbourne, and Christian Ford

 The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In part 1 of this episode of The Vaillant Podcast we’ll be covering the recent changes to Part L, which came into play from June 2022 and how heating systems fitted in new build properties must now be designed to run at a lower flow temperature of 55 degrees and the importance of system design in overall efficiency.

Joining host Mark Wilkins on The Vaillant Podcast is Martin Butcher, Technical Quality Manager at Vaillant, Simon Melbourne, System Sales and Design Manager at Vaillant and Christian ford from Indigo Renewables.

Christian Ford is a director at Indigo Renewables in Leicestershire. Established over 13 years ago, its team has over 30 years’ experience in the heating and renewable sector, providing specialist installation of air and ground source heat pumps along with biomass and solar thermal systems across the whole of the midlands region.

 Want to find out more about low temperature heating systems?

To find out more about Vaillant’s low temperature heating systems, please visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/

Looking for information on the training courses Vaillant offers, please visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/

Finally, to listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For more information from Indigo Renewables, please visit https://indigorenewables.co.uk/ and follow on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode of The Vaillant Podcast we asked installers on social media what they wanted to know about the heating industry’s low carbon future. From questions on MCS accreditation, to homeowner incentives such as the recently launched Boiler Upgrade Scheme and having those initial conversations with homeowner, this podcast covers the questions that matter the most to you.

Joining host Mark Wilkins on this episode of The Vaillant Podcast is Ian Rippin CEO at MCS and Peter Carruthers, owner of PA Carruthers Ltd.

As CEO at MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), Ian is responsible for leading the charge when it comes to the growth of the installation of renewables in homes and small businesses. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme has certified over a million installations since it was launched in 2007 and has nearly 2,000 installers currently registered.

Meanwhile, Peter, is the owner of PA Carruthers Ltd, which has been established since 1994. Predominantly working in off-mains gas areas, PA Carruthers Ltd provides a range of heating and plumbing services across west Wales.  MCS Certified, Peter and his team have a strong reputation for installing renewable and low carbon technologies in both domestic and commercial markets.

Looking at the low carbon landscape, both Ian and Peter offer their first-hand support and expertise on how installers can successfully navigate a low carbon future.

 Want to find out more about going green?

To learn more about Part L visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-of-fuel-and-power-approved-document-l 

You can find out more about the MCS and how you start your journey to certification here: https://mcscertified.com/installers-manufacturers/becoming-certified/ 

To learn more about the UK Government’s commitment to a net zero future, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy 

For more information on the Low Temperature Heating Systems training course, visit: XX

More information on Vaillant’s training, including blended learning courses, which are designed to take you from heat pump zero to hero, can be found here: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/course-information/ 

Details on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and how installers / homeowners can access this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-may-be-eligible-for-the-boiler-upgrade-scheme-from-april-2022 

Low carbon technology training courses available from Vaillant can be found at https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/online-training/ 

Finally, to listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode of The Vaillant Podcast we tackle the topic of the Internet of Things (IOT), how we can define it, and how the IOT and connected devices are enabling installers to work smarter not harder.

In this episode, host Simon Whysall is joined by guests Grant Gundelfinger and Karen Matthews from the Mayfly Group Ltd, together with Kenny Virdee, IOT partnership manager at Vaillant, to explore the ways in which connected devices are becoming increasingly popular within the home and how those working in the plumbing and heating industry can utilise this technology to introduce new business services and models.

Since joining Vaillant more than 20 years ago as a service engineer, Kenny Virdee is now responsible for the successful implementation and delivery of Vaillant’s own IOT strategy. Working with a skilled team Kenny manages the integration of Vaillant’s own technology to support the day-to-day lives of installers.

Heating Installer of the Year 2021 winner, Grant Gundelfinger is a co-founder and director at the Mayfly Group Ltd, which is based in Leeds. With more than 15 years experience, Grant is familiar with the role connected devices can have on the way he runs his business.

Since starting her career in the industry in 2008, Karen Matthews, who is Grant’s business partner, and director & co-founder at the Mayfly Group Ltd, has championed the way she and her business can utilise technology to deliver the very best in service for customers.

 Want to find out more?

To learn more about MyVAILLANT Pro, and how it can allow installers to offer customers extra levels of service, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/business-support/support-tools/myvaillant-pro/ 

For Vaillant Advance installers interested in signing up to the current free trial of myVAILLANT Pro, which runs until April 2022, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/advance-loyalty-scheme/ 

For more on the vSMART control and Vaillant’s existing range of smart heating controls, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/controls-and-thermostats/smart-controls/

For information on the training courses from Vaillant on its portfolio of smart controls, visit www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/

Finally, to listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode of The Vaillant Podcast installers will learn more about how ‘going green’ can have a positive impact on both the planet and their business.

Joining host Simon Whysall on The Vaillant Podcast is Martin McTague from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and James Lacey owner of JLN Plumbing and Heating.

Martin is the chair of policy and advocacy at the FSB which represent more than 150,000 small businesses across the UK. The FSB works closely with the government to provide the best possible environment for these businesses to thrive in. 

Meanwhile, James started off as a one-man-band and grew his company, JLN Plumbing, to a limited business with more than 14 employees. In this episode, James offers his own first-hand insight on some of the ways in which his business has been able to successfully adopt greener ways of working which have also helped improve business efficiencies too. 

 Want to find out more about going green?

To calculate your business’ carbon footprint visit: https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/how-to-calculate-your-carbon-footprint-as-a-small-business.html 

To learn more about the UK Government’s commitment to a net zero future, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy 

Information on Green bonds, and other financing options currently available to businesses exploring sustainable options can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-green-financing 

To read the research report from the FSB exploring the attitudes and challenges faced by small businesses in relation to sustainability, head on over to: https://www.fsb.org.uk/resource-report/accelerating-progress.html 

If you’d like to find out more about MyVAILLANT Pro, or sign up to the free trial, which runs until April 2022, visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/business-support/support-tools/myvaillant-pro/ 

Training to help SME business leaders increase productivity via the Government’s Help to Grow scheme can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/help-to-grow-management-uk 

Commusoft is a scalable job management software for field service engineers, learn more about the platform here https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/help-to-grow-management-uk 

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