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Our Net Zero Apprenticeship programme has taken top honours at this year’s H&V Awards. The programme, which is now in its third year, scooped the Training Initiative of the Year category at the London-based awards ceremony.

Jenny Jackson, Vital Energi’s Resources Manager explained, “The main way to assess the success of a training programme is to look at its graduates and we are so proud of the young men and women who have taken part in our Net Zero apprenticeships programme. We are delighted that our training initiative was recognised at the awards ceremony, but more importantly, we are thrilled with the impact our apprentices are making on the business and are sure we have uncovered several future leaders of the net zero sector.”

We created the programme in response to the skills gap in the low-carbon energy sector, which is a potential hurdle to the UK meeting its Net Zero Targets.   The Net Zero Apprenticeship Programme, which included a £2m investment in a new Training Academy, sees apprentices work across a range of departments, such as commercial, design and work winning, as well as undertaking on-site placement at some of our projects throughout the UK.  The scheme has been successful and Vital now employ 27 apprentices throughout the business.

Alongside their time at Vital, apprentices take a level three apprenticeship with City of Liverpool College, with some graduates continuing to take a degree-level apprenticeship. The programme offers two pathways; craft and technical, and we also appoint apprentices in a range of support services such as Marketing and Finance.

Building Services Engineering Apprentice, Stacey Brindle attended the awards and said, “I’ve loved the opportunities the Net Zero apprenticeship have given me and it’s definitely brought me to a place where I think my long-term future will be spent in the industry.  I know how hard my colleagues, tutors and mentors work to support me and I’m really pleased that their work has been recognised with an award.”

If you’d like to know more about our training initiative, or you’re interested in applying, then click here.

We are delighted that the hard work and achievements of our Net Zero Apprenticeships have been recognised after the programme was shortlisted in the Training Initiative of the Year category at this year’s Heating & Ventilation Awards.

This category is dedicated to recognising new training initiatives within the heating and ventilation industry and successful entrants must detail the high levels of planning and implementation, demonstrate the positive impacts of the programme and show evidence of increased profits or productivity.

The Net Zero Apprenticeships initiative, which is heading into its third year, will now go forwards to be judged by a team of industry experts, with the winner being announced in a ceremony at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel in late November.

So far, the Net Zero Apprenticeship programme has seen us recruit 21 candidates in two years, with a further 6 apprentices signed up for the 2023/24.  Jenny Jackson, Vital Energi’s Resources Manager explained, “Being shortlisted in this category is a big honour as it not only recognises the outstanding achievements of our apprentices, but also the investment Vital Energi have made in the future of the UK’s low-carbon workforce.”

If you’d like to learn more about our Net Zero apprenticeships, click here.

It’s been a busy period for Vital Energi’s work-winning teams and the last three months have seen us win eight lots across seven frameworks with a combined value of over £3.5 billion.  This sees the total combined value of frameworks we sit on pass the £12.5 billion mark.

The frameworks we have been added to in December, January & February include:

• Procure Plus– Low and Zero Carbon Technologies £195m
• Procure Plus– Low and Zero Carbon Technologies £1.53bn
• Procurement for Housing Scotland EESSH2 Framework – £100m
• ETL – Energy Performance Contracting Framework – £500
• Go Neutral Smart Energy Framework Agreement – £160m
• Scotland Excel Energy Efficiency £800m
• Fusion 21 Decarbonisation Energy Efficiency Framework £250m
• Scottish Water Horizons £13.5m

Gemma Dyson, Proposals Manager explains, “We want to be able to help the widest range of organisations on their journey to net zero and this means we have to sit on a wide-range of frameworks to have access to bid on these projects. Frameworks also provide a vehicle for our clients to procure work quickly, as and when funding becomes available. The frameworks market has grown significantly in recent years and I think it’s a demonstration of the growth of the sector, and Vital Energi in particular, that we now sit on 28 frameworks and 11 dynamic purchasing systems.

“Whilst the value of the frameworks is impressive, the variety of technologies, sectors and specialisms we cover should be noted as it’s a great indicator of how we have grown our capabilities, knowledge and skills base over the last few years.”

We’d like to congratulate our fantastic clients after they were recognised for their work in helping the UK on its Net Zero Journey.

Our partnerships with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate on the Leeds PIPES Project scooped the Heat and Efficiency (Operational) Award and we also took the Special Award for Contribution to Net Zero for our work with West Dunbartonshire Council, Leeds City Council, Southwark Council and Swansea Bay University Health Board.

The ADE Awards are the most prestigious awards in our industry, and this is the first time this the Contribution to Net Zero award has been presented to an organisation rather than a specific project, which highlights the important work we have been doing in partnership with our clients.

Two of Vital Energi’s other projects were in contention on the night, having been named as finalists in their respective categories.

Northwick Park Hospital, in partnership with London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust – Integrated Energy

Vital Energi are guaranteeing savings of £1.9m a year for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and are reducing carbon emissions by 2,581 tonnes a year at Northwick Park Hospital. This is through a fully integrated, self-funding, multi technology energy solution which will help decarbonise the Trust, as well as creating a smart grid from which the local community will also benefit.

Oakshott Court, in partnership with Danfoss and Camden Council- Heat & Efficiency (Digital Innovation)

We have partnered with Danfoss to introduce revolutionary AI software technology at Camden Council’s Oakshott Court, which in just 7 months has reduced the site’s energy consumption by a third, helping the borough transition to a low carbon future. By simple modernisation of the heat network through the deployment of digital technology, we have provided improvements to the heating system benefitting 114 homes.

It’s been another fantastic night for our Net Zero Apprentices, with Aidan Whetham scooping two of the top honours at this year’s BESA Industry Awards 2023.

Aidan, who is in the 2^nd year of his Building Services Engineering Technician apprenticeship claimed the BSE Technician/Project Engineer Apprentice category and was then named as the overall BESA National Apprentice of the Year Award.

Held in London this year, the BESA awards are one of the most prestigious in the industry and recognise outstanding achievements in the field of building services, celebrating exceptional apprentices and their talents.

Jenny Jackson, Vital Energi’s Resource Manager commented, “This was a wonderful night.  Being around so many talented apprentices in one place is a great advertisement for the building services industry and can’t help but make you feel optimistic about our Net Zero future.

“I’m delighted for Aidan as, not only does he excel in his apprenticeship, but has also become a STEM ambassador, speaking in schools and attending recruitment events.  He’s having a real impact on improving the profile of the industry and raising awareness of careers in engineering which is a valuable contribution.”

Ibrahim Qadir, another of Vital Energi’s Net Zero Apprentices also made it to the BESA awards finals having previously been awarded the Ken Dale Travel Bursary to visit foreign countries and investigate the opportunities for artificial intelligence in buildings.

Rounding off a fantastic night for our apprentices, Harvey Hudson, who was named CIBSE Apprentice of the Year, returned to speak on a panel at the CIBSE Young Engineers Awards, discussing the importance of apprenticeships.

Congratulations to all our Net Zero Apprentices who have made 2023 another memorable year!

Vital Energi have been awarded the £3m contract by Islington Council to help decarbonise Islington Waste Recycling Centre through the implementation of heat pumps and solar, which will significantly reduce the site’s carbon footprint and accelerate the Council’s journey to net zero by 2030.

Recycling around 55,000 tonnes of household waste each year, Islington Waste Recycling Centre (IWRC) is one of the six recycling and reuse centres in North London that offers its residents a vast range of recycling opportunities. It is also one of the largest contributors to London Borough of Islington’s gas emissions, accounting for 10% of all gas consumption across 55 the Council’s corporate buildings.

Vital Energi will be replacing and upgrading some of IWRC’s existing equipment to renewable technologies and carrying out roof repairs to the Tipping Hall and adjacent office, using the most advanced polymer systems, which will help them become more energy efficient.

We will install 944 solar panels with solar edge optimisers to the north half of the main tipping hall roof and the entire office roof, doubling the capacity of the existing PV system.

Mechanical and electrical works required to be carried out by Vital Energi include the refurbishment of the existing six Air Handling Units (AHUs) by replacing the existing gas fired heating coils with electric and refrigerant coils including associated condensers and ancillary equipment. The existing two Direct Gas Fired Domestic Hot Water (DHW) generation system in the main hall plantroom will also be replaced with an air-to-water source heat pump DHW system.

The existing LV electrical infrastructure will be upgraded to supply the new mechanical equipment being installed. These works include construction of a new LV switch room. Installation of lighting, power, containment, fire alarm and protection services for the new LV switch room which is in the basement of the recycling centre.

Vital Energi always strive to deliver social value within the communities in which they’re delivering projects and have a series of initiatives planned to give back to the Islington community. Initiatives include sponsoring local under 14s and under 12s girls football teams and holding a tournament with a family fun day theme. The Vital Energi team are actively involved with local businesses to develop a supply chain within the community, and they will also host various classroom tutorials on working within the industry.

The project received grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix on behalf of the Government’s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Work has commenced on-site.

We’ve opened a dedicated facility in Swansea to support our multi-billion-pound effort to accelerate decarbonisation across Wales.

The expansion comes as the result of a growing pipeline of energy generation, networks, and storage solutions worth £2.5 billion.

To deliver current and future work, our 760-strong workforce will increase by approximately 50%, adding 400 new green jobs in the UK over the next five years.

The regional offices will facilitate direct collaboration with local authorities and housing associations to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. They will also support decarbonisation projects for other organisations including universities, hospitals, airports, and the industrial sector.

This expansion marks the next step in our pathway to not only develop and deliver energy assets but also be the asset owner. Through strategic collaborations, the company continues to strengthen its ability to develop, deliver and own energy infrastructure and generation assets that benefit local communities across the UK.

Mike Cooke, Managing Director for Vital Energi explains, “Our expansion across the UK demonstrates Vital Energi’s dedication to advancing the nation’s transition to net zero. By opening new offices in strategic locations, we aim to develop, implement and own innovative, low-carbon energy systems.

“Alongside this growth, we’re driving an ambitious recruitment campaign to fill a wide range of green jobs. We’re creating exciting opportunities for individuals passionate about sustainability and clean energy to join our mission of protecting our planet for future generations. We are committed to contributing to the country’s net zero goals by cultivating a highly skilled workforce and collaborating with public and private sector partners.”

Vital Energi are growing their offering within the ESCo market after welcoming Paul McIver as their new Community Energy Director, who has a wealth of experience within this area.

Paul will be responsible for developing ESCo opportunities for Vital that will contribute to a low carbon future, and play a pivotal role in the energy transition and net-zero carbon agenda.

Having been instrumental in the successful winning, mobilisation and delivery of several ESCo deals, including the iconic Battersea Power Station, Paul brings experience of negotiating the ESCo as well as knowledge of what the market, business and end user expects from receiving their heat, and in some cases cooling from a district heat network.

A professionally qualified electrical engineer with over 30 years’ experience, of which the last 15 have been held in various managerial positions, Paul has proven abilities in strategic planning, managing projects, improving efficiency of operations, team building and detailing project information to determine effective processes for operations

Paul honed his ESCo knowledge during his time at ENGIE’s East London Energy Olympic Park site, where he was responsible for creating the ENGIE Community Energy brand, and overseeing strategic management and delivery of district energy, residential and community services for ENGIE in the UK.

Paul is also skilled in the technical appraisal of energy projects, through to project delivery, lifecycle maintenance of assets and infrastructure, the provision of financing for such projects and customer satisfaction.

Welcome to the team Paul!