Darts champion helps Smart Energy Training to launch summer open days

Smart Energy Training is hosting a number of open days for current and prospective gas, heating and renewable energy engineers, with former world darts champion and Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster on hand to challenge visitors to a game. 

Launch events have already taken place at new sites in Nottingham and Stourbridge, and the next open day will take place on Wednesday, August 26 at the company’s longest-standing training centre in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. 

Smart Energy Training was launched in April 2025 when parent company Realise Training Group acquired Smart Gas Training and Assessment Centre in Ashbourne. The business has since acquired Energy Training Centre in Nottingham, Stourbridge’s Elements Training & Assessment, Brookhouse in Yorkshire and Swat Gas in Redditch.  

“We are part way through a major expansion plan which has seen us acquire a number of new training centres in quick succession, with plans for more to follow. We are fully committed to providing opportunities for current and future heating engineers, as well as new recruits to the sector, across the country and equipping them with the skills they need to flourish in an ever-changing industry,” said Paul Drew, Director of Smart Energy Training. 

Paul added that Smart Energy Training remains on the lookout for further acquisition opportunities for other training providers and would welcome contact from owners of relevant business who may be interested in selling. 

Realise Training Group, one of the UK’s largest training providers with more than 18,500 learners a year, was acquired by AQA in October last year, becoming an independent subsidiary of the not-for-profit education charity.