Training Academy Lead - HVAC in Bracknell

Carrier Solutions UK Limited is seeking an experienced and engaging Training Lead with strong HVAC technical knowledge to design, deliver, and continuously improve training for internal teams and customers across the UK and Ireland. Reporting to the Director of Service Operations, this role ensures technicians, engineers, and wider stakeholders have the skills, product knowledge, and safety awareness required to install, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot HVAC equipment to Carrier standards. The postholder will work closely with Service Operations, Technical Support, Quality, EH&S, Sales, and Product teams to align training to business priorities, new product introductions, and customer requirements.

Main Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deliver technical HVAC training (classroom, virtual, and on-the-job) for service engineers, technicians, apprentices, and relevant non-technical audiences.
• Maintain and apply up-to-date HVAC technical knowledge across Carrier product ranges, controls, commissioning procedures, refrigeration principles, and fault-finding methodologies.
• Own the technical training curriculum and training calendar, ensuring coverage of core HVAC competencies, new product introductions, and mandatory compliance requirements.
• Create and update training materials (slides, workbooks, practical exercises, assessments, and job aids) to reflect current standards, product changes, and field feedback.
• Deliver practical, hands-on training including system commissioning, diagnostics, controls setup, and safe working practices in workshop and site environments.
• Partner with Service Operations and Technical Support to identify capability gaps and translate them into targeted learning interventions.
• Implement competency frameworks and assessment processes (theory and practical) to validate skills and support authorisation/sign-off where required.
• Measure training effectiveness using attendance, pass rates, competency outcomes, quality metrics, and stakeholder feedback; drive continuous improvement actions.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and audit evidence in line with company policies and any regulatory or customer requirements.
• Support EH&S initiatives by embedding safe systems of work into technical training, including risk awareness, F-Gas considerations, and electrical/mechanical safety.
• Coordinate training logistics including venues, equipment, training rigs, materials, and scheduling to minimise operational disruption.
• Work with Product, Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure technical content accuracy and alignment to Carrier Excellence standards.
• Provide coaching and technical mentoring to engineers and supervisors; support train-the-trainer activities where applicable.
• Contribute to customer training delivery where required, helping improve first-time fix, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage the training budget and suppliers (external trainers, accreditation bodies, venues) and ensure best value for money.
• Stay current with industry standards and emerging HVAC technologies; incorporate relevant updates into training content.
• Support onboarding and role-based learning pathways for new starters, including induction and technical ramp plans.
• Maintain and improve training governance (version control, sign-off, and review cycles) to ensure consistent delivery quality.
• Produce regular reports on training activity, competency status, and compliance completion for management review.
• Collaborate with operational leaders to plan training around workload peaks and critical customer commitments.
• Promote ethical behaviour and adherence to company policies within all training activities, completing required compliance modules.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks required to support the effective delivery of the training function.

Qualifications, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Proven experience delivering technical training, coaching, or mentoring (classroom and practical environments).
• Strong HVAC technical knowledge, including refrigeration principles, controls, commissioning, and fault diagnosis.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in an HVAC technical role (service, commissioning, technical support, or similar), with exposure to training delivery preferred.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, structured learning for different audiences.
• Experience creating training materials and assessments, with good digital skills (e.g., PowerPoint, LMS or training record systems).
• Strong understanding of EH&S expectations in field service environments and commitment to safe working practices.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to work effectively with operations, product, and customer-facing teams.

Desirable

• Formal training/learning qualification (e.g., CIPD L&D, Level 3 Award in Education & Training, or equivalent).
• Relevant HVACR qualifications (e.g., HNC/HND, NVQ, F-Gas certification) and/or OEM product training credentials.
• Experience delivering training within an OEM, manufacturer, or service organisation supporting complex HVAC equipment.