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Steve Willis Training Centres

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Steve Willis Training Centres

Experts in gas, oil, electrical, plumbing, renewables training & apprenticeships. Sussex & Hampshire.

Steve Willis Training Centres has proudly held a prominent position in the industry for more than twenty years, renowned for delivering exceptional training in the fields of gas, electrical, oil, renewables, and plumbing. Located in Burgess Hill, West Sussex and Portchester, Hampshire, our facilities offer a wide range of training options. These include short courses and assessments for tradespeople, full apprenticeships, and retraining programmes for individuals transitioning from the armed services. Both of our centres provide top-notch training experiences, equipped with state-of-the-art tools and resources. Purpose-built workshops, modern classrooms, and highly experienced trainers and assessors contribute to the quality of our programmes. To ensure our trainees have access to the latest equipment, we maintain close partnerships with leading suppliers in the industry. In fact, we have an oil training facility in Portchester, developed in collaboration with Worcester Bosch. Our training programmes are approved by reputable industry bodies such as CIPHE, NICEIC, OFTEC, ERS and City & Guilds. This endorsement guarantees that our courses meet the needs of various customers, whether they are experienced engineers, aspiring apprentices, or individuals seeking a career change. For further information, please contact us via email at [email protected] or reach out to one of our knowledgeable advisors at 01444 870860 or 02392 190190.

30/10/2026

Thinking about bringing your child to our October Open Days next week but not quite sure what to expect?

Here’s the short version:
You come and have a look where you’d be learning each week, you can tour the training facilities, see where our current apprentices learn and meet some of them, plus meet tutors and the team.

You don’t need to arrive with your child knowing exactly what they want to do, or that you need to make a decision there and then.

Just come along, have a look and find out what’s possible.

We have open days at both our Hampshire and West Sussex training centres throughout October, November and February to book onto.

Book your places here: https://stevewillis.com/apprenticeship-open-days/

28/10/2026

What if, this time next year, you could be doing something you never thought you were capable of? 🔧

Think about it.

A year from now, you could have learned how to install electrical systems, worked alongside experienced engineers, tackled real problems and developed skills you didn’t even know you had.

You could be more confident, more independent and a whole lot closer to knowing what you want from your future.

That’s one of the things we love about apprenticeships. It’s not just about learning a trade. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of along the way.

And there are some pretty brilliant benefits too.

⚡ Learning by doing, rather than spending every day in a classroom.

🔧 Developing practical skills that people and businesses rely on.

🤝 Meeting people who can teach you, support you and help you grow.

🚀 Building experience and qualifications that can open doors throughout your career.

💡 Having opportunities to specialise, progress and potentially run your own business one day.

At Steve Willis Training Centres, we help apprentices develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to build careers in Gas, Electrical and Plumbing.

You don’t need to have your entire future figured out right now.

Sometimes, you just need to take that first step.

So, where could you be this time next year? 👀

Explore apprenticeships with Steve Willis Training Centres and see where your future could take you.

26/10/2026

When was the last time you invested in your own skills? 🔧

Working in the trades means there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s keeping up with industry developments, adding another qualification to your CV or expanding the services you can offer customers.

And sometimes, taking just a few days out to train can open up a whole new opportunity.

At Steve Willis Training Centres, our short courses are designed for people already working in the industry who want to keep developing their skills.

From Gas and Electrical to Renewables, there’s plenty to explore at our Burgess Hill and Portchester training centres.

Explore our full range of short courses and see what’s next for you - https://stevewillis.com/short-courses/

23/10/2026

Today we’re heading to Patcham High School to talk to students about apprenticeships, technical careers and what their options could look like after school.

For young people, choosing what comes next can feel like a lot of pressure.

University. College. Apprenticeship. Employment.

Knowing what the options actually are in the first place, can make decisions much easier. That’s why we love getting out into schools and having these conversations.

We’ll be talking about what apprenticeships involve, what training looks like, the types of careers available and where those first few steps could lead. Because an apprenticeship isn’t simply:

“Learn a trade.”

It’s an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop technical skills, work towards a qualification and start building a career. And there isn’t one route that works for everyone.

You don’t have to have all the answers at 16.

You just need the opportunity to start exploring them.

20/10/2026

If you’re a parent going to an apprenticeship Open Day with your child, you might not know where to start.

So here’s your cheat sheet. 👇 Save this post and take it with you.

1. What qualification will they gain? It’s worth understanding exactly what they’re working towards and what the qualification means for their future.

2. What will they actually earn? Apprentices are employees, so ask about pay and what their working week looks like.

3. Who will they work for? Find out what the employer side of the apprenticeship looks like and what kind of workplace experience they’ll get.

4. How much time is spent training? An apprenticeship combines work and learning, so it’s useful to understand how the two fit together.

5. What are the entry requirements? Don’t assume you need perfect grades or a particular background. Ask what the actual requirements are.

6. What happens when the apprenticeship finishes? This is a big one. Find out what progression could look like once they’ve completed their apprenticeship.

7. What if they’re still not sure? Ask questions. Have a conversation. Look around.

You don’t have to walk into an Open Day knowing exactly what you want.

That’s what it’s there for.

Come along, have a look around and bring your questions with you, our open days are the end of this month.

📆 Burgess Hill on the 28th, and Portchester on the 29th - both between 4-7pm!

Book on here - https://stevewillis.com/apprenticeship-open-days/

19/10/2026

What do young people REALLY want to know about apprenticeships? 👀

Today we’re at Dorothy Stringer School talking to students about apprenticeships, technical training and the different routes available after school.

And rather than just telling students what an apprenticeship is, we want to hear what they actually want to know.

Choosing what to do after school can feel like a big decision, particularly when you don’t know what all the options actually look like.

That’s why getting out into schools and talking about real careers, real training and real experiences is so important.

A big thank you to everyone at Dorothy Stringer for having us today. 👋

And to the students who asked the questions, challenged us and got involved, we hope you left with a few more ideas about what your next step could look like.

Not sure what you want to do yet?

That’s okay.

Start by finding out what’s out there - https://stevewillis.com/apprenticeships/

16/10/2026

Why take on an apprentice?

It’s a question we think is best answered by an employer who’s actually done it.

We spoke to Hyde Housing about their experience of training and developing over 40 apprentices.

Why did they decide to take one on?

“To invest in social mobility through skills and career opportunities“

What have they found?

“This has been a valuable way to invest in early careers, and bring new talent to our organisation”

And what difference has the apprentice made to their business?

“Enormous value has been added to the workforce. Our existing staff have benefited from it by enhancing their managerial skills, through developing and mentoring diverse candidates”

For an employer, taking on an apprentice isn’t just about bringing someone new into the business.

It’s about investing time, sharing knowledge and helping develop the skills your business needs for the future.

And when it works well, it’s a two-way relationship.

The apprentice gets experience, training and a qualification.

The employer gets the opportunity to develop someone within their own business and help shape their skills.

Want to know more about taking on an apprentice? Speak to our team and read the full case study here:
https://stevewillis.com/news/case_studies/hyde-housing/

15/10/2026

Training doesn’t have to stop once you’re qualified.

For employers and experienced tradespeople, adding new skills can be a way to develop your existing team, expand the work you can offer and keep up with a changing industry.

From heating and electrical to renewable technologies, there are always new skills to learn.

So if you’ve been thinking:

“We really should get someone trained up in that…”

This might be your sign. 👀

Check out the wide range of courses we offer on our website or speak to the Steve Willis Training Centres team to find out what’s available - call us on 01444870860 for Sussex or 02392190190 for Hampshire. 📲

08/10/2026

AI might change the way we work...but it still can’t fix a leaking pipe, a broken boiler or re-wire a house.

We’re hearing a lot about AI and the future of work at the moment, as we are sure most of you are too.

Which jobs will disappear?
Which skills will become less important?
What will the workplace look like in 5, 10 or 20 years?

And there’s no doubt that AI is already changing the way the world works, and how we do too - but the physical world will always still need real people.

When a heating system stops working, a consumer unit needs installing, a boiler needs servicing or a heat pump needs fitting, someone still needs the practical skills to do the job. And increasingly, those people will need to understand technology too.

That’s why we think apprenticeships in plumbing, electrical, heating, renewables and other skilled trades deserve far more attention from young people, parents and employers.

They are skilled careers that combine practical ability, problem-solving, technical knowledge and increasingly, technology. The world is changing. The trades are changing with it.

So if you’re a parent wondering what the future of work looks like for your son or daughter, it’s worth looking beyond the traditional university route.

And if you’re 16–25 and trying to work out what comes next, don’t assume that a career in the trades means being left behind by technology. It could mean being right where technology meets the real world.

That makes now a pretty interesting time to consider a career in the trades. Take a look at what we offer here - https://stevewillis.com

07/10/2026

If heat pump training has been sitting on your “I’ll get round to it” list…

This is your nudge! 👉🏻

We have 2 x spaces left on our upcoming heat pump training courses in Burgess Hill.

Whether you’re looking to build your renewable skills, develop your knowledge or add another string to your professional bow, this could be a good opportunity to get started.

Once these spaces are gone, they’re gone.

Find out more and book - https://stevewillis.com/short-courses/renewables-courses/ground-source-heat-pump-oft21-504g/

Address

Unit F2, Sheddingdean Industrial Estate, Marchants Way
Burgess Hill
RH158QY

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.stevewillis.com/

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