GATESHEAD College has won a new contract from social housing provider Gentoo to train its electrical contractors in the installation and connection of special solar-powered roof panels.

The contract, delivered in association with the college’s training partner PBS, recently saw 11 electricians from the Sunderland company undertake classroom and practical training in all aspects of photovoltaic panel installation at the Skills Academy for Construction at Team Valley, Gateshead.

The five-day training programme was undertaken on three specially constructed sets designed to replicate the real-life installation of roof-based panels, testing the students’ skills in electrical wiring and connecting systems to the domestic electricity supply.

The training programme is part of efforts by Gentoo to gain accreditation to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which will help it to attract more work in the sector.

It has been estimated that by 2020, nearly a million homes will be generating their own power under the feed-in tariff scheme, which sees homeowners receive up to 41.3p for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated via solar panels.

Allan Thompson, managing director of Gentoo Construction, said: “The Feed-in Tariff scheme is set to drive the renewable energy market in the future, so we needed a training partner that not only understands the issues but can deliver the intensive and specialist training needed to help us secure accreditation.

“The college, together with PBS, are leading the way through the design and delivery of innovative training programmes, which ensure that current and future sector skills needs are met and indeed exceeded.”

Paul Gough, development manager for employer engagement and apprentices at Gateshead College, said: “Winning Gentoo’s training contract is a major coup and reflects our growing presence in the renewable energy sector.”