It’s been another couple of months since my last update, but this time that’s because there has been a lot going on.
For what feels like a very long time, these blogs have been dominated by roof leaks, building work and approvals. June and July have felt different. The classroom is finished, the team is coming together and, most importantly, the BPEC approval process is now complete.
ProTech is officially approved.
That feels like a significant milestone after everything it has taken to get here. Of course, approval doesn’t fill courses with learners, so the pressure hasn’t disappeared — it has just changed. The focus now is getting programmes running and people through the door.
I also want to give Ideal Heating a big mention. They’ve supported what I’m trying to do with ProTech from the outset and have continued to help as the centre has developed. When you’re trying to build something like this from scratch, that kind of backing from an established manufacturer really does make a difference — and it’s appreciated.
The “day job” hasn’t slowed down either. June was particularly busy finishing End-point Assessments alongside development work, business support and other customer projects. I’m fortunate that this continues to keep me busy, although balancing it with launching the training centre remains an interesting juggling act.
There has also been plenty happening away from Rotherham.
One slightly mad day involved travelling to Glasgow and back to collect a Dimplex heat pump, kindly arranged through Ian Edgeworth. Ian was in the throes of launching Energy Punk, including an impressive online learning platform, so it was good to catch up and come home with another valuable piece of equipment for the centre.
A few days later I was at InstallerSHOW, catching up with people across the industry and attending talks involving Dan Woods and Martyn Raine. Inevitably, I came home with several more ideas for an already ridiculous to-do list.
Portwest have also supported us with kit for Malcolm the centre mascot. Alongside the help we’ve received from other manufacturers, it’s genuinely encouraging to see established businesses getting behind what we're trying to build.
Breakfast duty
We also supported two Warriors of Warmth community projects, the first at Bailey Bear’s Sensory Den in Ashbourne and then at SPIN Manchester’s homeless shelter in Coverdale.
Our contribution was slightly less strenuous than that of the people doing the actual work. With my knee increasingly reminding me that I’m not getting any younger — and, frankly, being knackered — we took responsibility for breakfast and made sure the people doing the hard graft were fed.
Julie joined me for the Manchester project, and once again it was great to spend time with people from across the industry giving up their own time to help others. Jonathon Hallam puts an enormous amount into making these projects happen, and we were pleased to play a small part.
Marketing... apparently another trade
With courses available, I've also had to turn more attention to marketing.
Enter Meta.
What should have been the straightforward job of advertising courses on Facebook and Instagram turned into a three week adventure involving blocked accounts, business portfolios, ad accounts, Shopify integrations and menus seemingly designed to move every time I found them.
We got there eventually. The ads are running and I now have another skill I never particularly wanted.
Surely this was the year?
England then provided the traditional reminder that optimism should be approached with caution.
I genuinely thought this was the year.
Then again, I’ve been allowing myself to believe that at World Cups since 1982, so perhaps I should know better.
Getting knocked out was a huge disappointment, but never mind. There’s always the next one.
I definitely won't get carried away next time...
July finished on a better note, with Julie and me spending three days at Tramlines in Hillsborough Park. After the pace of the previous few months, having a few days to switch off was very welcome.
So where does that leave things?
The centre is approved. We have some excellent people onboard. Manufacturer relationships are developing, the practical facilities continue to grow, and courses are available.
For months, the question keeping me awake was:
“Can I actually get this place open?”
Now it’s:
“Can I get enough learners through the door?”
Different sleepless nights, I suppose.
But I'll take that as progress.