Woodfuel Training Courses
Rural Development Initiatives Ltd. (RDI) have announced that the three day 'classic' IGNITE course has been joined by a suite of other courses to create a comprehensive programme of woodfuel supply chain training. RDI pioneered the initial Ignite training course in 2005, since when it has been accredited by LANTRA and won a National Training Award, and attended by over 150 trainees. A recent independent audit of Ignite on behalf of the Energy & Utility Sector Skills Council found that 'the knowledge and experience of the presenters ... was exceptionally high and this led to a high level of participation by the trainees'.
Will Richardson, RDI Director with responsibility for developing the Ignite programme, said 'with the various EU Rural Development Programmes coming on stream and no apparent let up in fossil fuel prices, the next few years are probably going to see a huge increase in woodfuel installations in this country. The supply chain needs to be ready to take advantage of that increase, and this is what Ignite is designed to support. From feedback from trainees we know that people are finding the skills and knowledge they gained from attending the course are of huge benefit to them in their business, and the after-course mentoring and support that we offer is also a big plus for people in what is still a fragmented sector'.
Ignite is the UK's only accredited woodfuel training course which is a major advantage for host organisations and trainees in terms of quality assurance, access to funding and credibility with customers and employers.
During 2008 Ignite courses are scheduled to run in Wales, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the East of England, with further courses being added regularly. RDI can either offer 'full service' courses in which they undertake all aspects of course delivery, or can work with a host organisation to just provide instructor time and course materials. All Ignite courses include workshop sessions and field trips to ensure maximum trainee participation.
The full list of courses is as follows: -
• The Woodfuel Supply Chain - three days
• The Urban Woodfuel Supply Chain – two days
• Energy Crops – two days
• Woodfuel Opportunities for Rural Estates – one day
• Woodfuel Quality Standards – one day
• Managing Woodlands for Woodfuel Production – one day
• Site Assessment for Specifiers (Architects, Energy Managers etc.) – two days
• 'Other' Renewable Energy Technologies (ground heat, solar etc.) for Woodfuel Operatives - one day
Ignite is just one a number of biomass projects which RDI delivers through its range of rural project management and hosting, consultancy and workforce development activities. Further information is available at www.ruraldevelopment.org.uk.
