Grant UK to deliver Aerona 290 training at Colchester Institute
UK – Grant UK is adding Colchester Institute’s existing Net Zero and Renewables Centre to its heat pump product-training provision, with the manufacturer set to deliver its free one-day Aerona 290 course at the Colchester campus.
The training will use a mobile Aerona 290 rig already located at the centre, which opened in 2024 and is already used by Colchester Institute for heat pump and other low-carbon technology training. The first Grant Aerona 290 course currently listed at Colchester is due to take place on 25 August 2026.
Aerona 290 training
Grant UK trainers will use the facility to deliver product training for installers working with the manufacturer’s R290 air-to-water heat pump range.
The one-day course covers the construction, operation and performance of the Aerona 290, alongside installation requirements, commissioning and controls. Training also includes R290 refrigerant safety and protection zones.
Colchester Institute already delivers heat pump training at the centre, including domestic heat pump system design and installation training.
This partnership demonstrates what becomes possible when education and industry move forward together
Tomas Kasiulis, Head of Training and Project Management Office at Colchester Institute
Clean energy training
The partnership follows Colchester Institute’s selection in April 2026 as one of five clean energy Technical Excellence Colleges announced by the government.
The institute is leading the East of England clean energy Technical Excellence College alongside Suffolk New College, East Coast College and City College Norwich.
The initiative is intended to develop skills across areas including offshore wind, nuclear, grid infrastructure and domestic renewables.
Phil Stanley, Training Manager at Grant UK, said the manufacturer had worked with Colchester Institute on the redevelopment of its training facilities and would now use both its Multifuel and Net Zero facilities to deliver product training.
Wider training partnership
Grant UK has also supplied three HVO-compatible Vortex oil boilers to Colchester Institute’s upgraded Multifuel Training Facility.
The equipment, including Vortex Combi, Outdoor and Eco Utility models, will support OFTEC training and assessment alongside Grant’s own oil boiler and burner courses.
The Multifuel Training Facility was officially opened on 9 July 2026, with representatives from Colchester Institute, Grant UK, OFTEC and the wider industry attending the launch.
