Skip to main content

Latest News
and Updates

Welcome to our News page, the essential resource for everything happening at Hampshire Training and Assessments and across the trades industry. Here, you'll find a curated collection of our latest blog posts, industry updates, and practical tips and hints to help you succeed. Whether you're a new learner considering a career change or an existing professional looking to stay ahead, our articles offer valuable insights, advice on our courses, and the latest news from the world of gas, plumbing, electrical, and construction. Dive in and explore, your next piece of knowledge is just a click away!

All our Gas Apprenticeship Cohorts together
Renewables Updates to industry
Group of candidates installing wall-mounted air conditioning units in a workshop setting.
Why Your F-Gas Ticket Isn’t Enough Anymore: The Reality of R290 in Domestic AC

Think your standard F-Gas ticket has you covered for the future of domestic AC? Think again. >
With major regulatory deadlines hitting in 2027 and 2029, R32 is being phased out, and highly flammable R290 (propane) is taking over the market. If you are installing domestic systems, your current certification doesn’t cover you for A3 hydrocarbons. Here is a quick look at why the rules are changing, what tools you’ll need to upgrade, and how to stay legal, insured, and safe on site.

Career Centre acheivements Gas
Jake Hay
From Classroom to Gas Safe: How Jake Hay Became one of the UK’s Youngest Gas Engineer’s at Just 17!

At just 17 years old, Jake Hay has made history at HTAA as our youngest-ever qualified gas engineer! Discover Jake’s inspiring 18-month journey from school leaver to fully registered Gas Safe business owner and see why he’s a brilliant example of what the next generation can achieve in the trades.

Career Renewables
How to Become an MCS Certified Heat Pump Installer: A Complete Guide

Transitioning to a MCS accredited profession involves several regulatory steps. From joining a Consumer Code to navigating DNO G99 applications, learn the essential requirements for becoming a certified heat pump installer and accessing government grants like the BUS.

Funding Renewables Updates to industry
A close-up of a white air source heat pump unit with a gray vent, installed on a wooden fence for training purposes.
Gas and Oil Engineers: The £9k Heat Pump Boost is Here. Are You Ready?

The BUS grant just hit £9,000 for off-grid properties. If you’re a gas or oil engineer, there’s never been a better time to get qualified.

Centre acheivements
LCL Awards Inclusivity Charter
Building a Brighter, More Inclusive Future

Discover how our family-run center is breaking down barriers and building a more supportive, diverse future for the building services engineering industry.

Gas Updates to industry
Mastering IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4: The 2026 Guide to New Gas Testing Standards

Learn how the 2026 IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 update shifts industry standards from meter-based to volume-based tightness testing and discover the new compliance requirements for gas engineers.

Electrical Updates to industry
Trainees carrying out electrical installation tasks during a practical training session.
The 2026 EICR Regulations “Renewal Cliff”: How Electricians Can Prepare for the Surge

Five years ago, the industry saw an unprecedented surge in demand as EICRs became mandatory across the private rented sector. Now, the clock has nearly run out. April 2026 marks the first major ‘renewal cliff,’ where thousands of certificates issued in 2021 hit their expiry date simultaneously.

Combined with new, strict safety mandates for social housing and a 28-day window for remedial works, the next 12 months represent both a logistical nightmare and a massive commercial opportunity for electrical firms. Is your business prepared to handle the bottleneck, or will you be left chasing the surge? Here is how to audit your database, streamline your reporting, and secure your schedule before the rush begins.

Electrical Updates to industry
An Electrical Apprenticeship in the UK or professional in a hands-on course inspecting notes and a circuit board, learning to work with a consumer unit at Hampshire Training and Assessments.
The 2026 EICR Deadline: Why Your “Experience” Is No Longer Enough

The “experience-only” route for EICR inspections officially ends on October 1st, 2026. With the introduction of mandatory individual Level 3 qualifications and the upcoming BS 7671 Amendment 4, the bar for electrical safety has been raised. Is your business ready for the shift, or are you at risk of being sidelined? Read our breakdown of the key compliance dates and how to secure your Level 3 certification before the deadline.

ELCAS Funding
Poster promoting a 10% discount for Blue Light Card holders at Hampshire Training and Assessments. Features a blue and white design with emergency service symbols, including a police badge, fire helmet, medical cross, and military insignia. Text highlights the discount and mentions eligibility for ELCAS users.
Unlock 10% Off with Your Blue Light Card at Hampshire Training and Assessments

At Hampshire Training and Assessments, we deeply appreciate the dedication of those who serve our communities and country. To show our gratitude, we’re excited to…

Visit our Training Centre

Come and see for yourself! Visit our purpose-built training centre at Hampshire Training and Assessments to meet the team, see our practical facilities and find the perfect course to start your new career.

Contact us

Your Next Mission: Transitioning to a Civilian Career with ELCAS

As an approved training center for the MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme, we are proud to support members of the Armed Forces in their pursuit of lifelong learning. The ELC Scheme is a valuable initiative designed to help service leavers and personnel gain nationally recognised qualifications, easing their transition into a civilian career. We are dedicated to providing high-quality, industry-relevant training that honors your service by helping you validate your existing skills and acquire new ones, opening up a world of opportunities in the trades.

Find out more
Two paratroopers with black flippers on their feet jump out of the open ramp of a plane over a large body of water.
Contact us

Your journey starts here!

Have questions about your training journey? Lily, our friendly office administrator, is on hand to answer all of your enquiries. From course details to enrollment, she's here to guide you and make the process of gaining your new qualifications as simple as possible.

Lily, an office staff member, smiles while talking on the phone at her desk, with a computer monitor in front of her displaying the Hampshire Training and Assessments website.

    Earn trade qualifications with our partners