Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of training hundreds of students in the electrical industry. As someone who grew up in the trade—my dad’s been an electrician for decades and is now our training director—I’ve always believed that you don’t become good at this job by just sitting in a classroom. You become good by getting on-site, using tools, and solving real problems.
That’s exactly what happened recently when we gave a group of our electrical trainees the opportunity to install a 16kWh solar panel system along with a 16kWh battery unit. This wasn’t just a training exercise. It was a full, working system, designed to power our training centre independently of the national grid.
The result? A functional, sustainable energy setup that now runs our centre without needing to rely on outside power. And the best part—it was built by students.
The goal was simple: to give our students more than just a qualification.
There’s a big difference between passing an exam and actually feeling confident on the job. That confidence comes from doing. So we designed this project to give our trainees real, hands-on experience with solar and battery systems under proper guidance.
We also wanted to show that a training centre like ours can lead the way when it comes to sustainability. We don’t need to wait for new policies or incentives—we can act now.
Thanks to our partnership with WireNow, we had the tools, the support, and the expertise to make it happen. Our students got the benefit of working alongside experienced electricians and learning what it’s like to complete a proper installation from start to finish.
The students selected for this project were part of our electrical training programme—mostly those working toward their Gold Card. (Gold Card Electrical Course). These were people who had shown real interest and ability, especially in the renewable side of the trade.
They worked under the supervision of our tutors and the WireNow team, including myself and my dad. We made sure every step of the install was not only safe but educational.
From planning the layout of the panels, to physically mounting them on the roof, to wiring the battery and setting up the inverter system—our students did the work. And they did it well.
Here’s what the system includes:
It’s not just a working system—it’s a learning tool. We now use it during lessons to help explain energy storage, system balancing, fault finding, and how to design a clean power solution from the ground up.
The training centre now runs completely off-grid. That means our lighting, machinery, computers, and even our tools are powered by the system the students helped install.
It’s a great example of how renewable energy can be applied in real working environments, not just as a future concept or something found in textbooks. The system holds up under pressure and powers all our essential equipment with no need to connect to the national grid.
This kind of setup not only supports day-to-day training activities, but it also shows our students and visitors that sustainability isn’t just a talking point—it’s something we can build with our own hands.
As someone who’s been in this industry for over ten years, I can say with certainty: there’s no substitute for hands-on learning.
Watching our students take ownership of this project was inspiring. You could see the shift in confidence—the moment when they realised they weren’t just trainees anymore, but future professionals who had installed something that mattered.
They didn’t just learn about solar systems—they actually built one. They didn’t just talk about sustainability—they helped create it.
We all know the UK is moving toward a net zero future, and the electrical industry is right at the heart of that shift. But there’s a huge skills gap in renewables. That’s where we come in.
At Learn Trade Skills, we’re not just preparing students to pass exams—we’re preparing them for the real jobs that need doing. And those jobs increasingly include solar, battery storage, and energy management systems.
By including real installations like this in our training programmes, we’re helping bridge that gap. Employers can be confident that our graduates know how to wire a board and fit a solar array—and do it safely and efficiently.
This project was special to me for a lot of reasons. My dad and I started Learn Trade Skills with a simple goal: to give back to the trade that gave us so much. We didn’t want to be just another training provider. We wanted to build something that sets people up for life.
This install wasn’t about showing off. It was about showing up—for our students, for the future of the trade, and for the environment.
Seeing the pride in our trainees as they completed the job reminded me why we started all this in the first place.
We plan to keep doing projects like this—installations that matter, that challenge our students, and that help move the industry forward.
Whether you’re a potential trainee, an employer, or someone simply interested in the future of electrical work—we invite you to come and see it for yourself.
Because at Learn Trade Skills, we don’t just teach. We train. And we build.
If you’re ready to start your journey toward becoming a qualified, confident electrician with real experience in renewables, visit our website to learn more about upcoming electrical courses.
We run regular sessions in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and we welcome students from all over the region, including Broxbourne, Enfield, and Waltham Cross.
This is the future of electrical training. And it starts here.
Tolga Aramaz is the Director of Learn Trade Skills (LTS), a family-run training centre specialising in electrical installations. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the electrical industry, Tolga is known for their exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering outstanding results. They provide valuable insights and guidance to electricians, contractors, and businesses, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safety protocols. Through engaging training programmes and consultancy services, Tolga empowers professionals to excel in their roles, fostering long-term relationships built on professionalism and customer satisfaction.
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William Goss
Electrician course
11/11/2024
