Eco advisers urgently needed to help tackle climate change
13 Febraury 2007
Do you have a green streak? Fancy doing something more interesting and worthwhile for a living? If you’re attracted by the thought of a carbon-saving career, working for yourself with flexibility and really exciting prospects, then Leeds is the place to be today.
Instead of worrying about red roses on Valentine’s Day, 14th February is the day when people in Leeds are being invited to find out about a completely new career inspired by the latest European and UK legislation to help tackle climate change.
The opportunity is to join the Government’s new army of qualified eco-advisers who check on the energy efficiency of our homes, producing the new Energy Performance Certificates that the law says will have to be produced for every home put up for sale from 1 June this year.
Leeds is the first venue for a national recruitment roadshow that will also stop at Southampton (21 February), Liverpool (23 February), Cardiff (27 February), Birmingham (28 February) and London (2 March).
Austin Baggett, head of the NHER membership scheme for the UK’s energy efficiency professionals, says:
“We estimate the country needs 1,500 qualified energy assessors ready for 1 June, and we believe they will be very much in demand. There will be 1.5 million Energy Performance Certificates required each year.
“The country’s home buyers and agents will rely on these energy assessors to examine all homes up for sale, tell us whether they are energy wasters or energy savers and what improvements can be made. It’s a critical job, as Energy Performance Certificates will give us valuable information for the first time about the energy efficiency of properties, and practical steps to reduce carbon emissions and save on energy bills.
“For anyone in Leeds looking for an ethical career change in a fast moving industry making a difference, the time is now. The market demand for these new energy professionals is growing in scale and urgency as every week goes by.”
Experts from the NHER scheme will be at Three Albion Place in Central Leeds from 10am on Wednesday 14 February, ready to help people find out about the new qualifications and career opportunities as a domestic energy assessor, the training available and how to join an accreditation scheme.
Candidates who sign up at the Leeds event could even be in time to join the NHER’s next fast-track training and qualification programme, scheduled to start on 3 March. Most candidates can qualify within 8-12 weeks, which would mean these candidates could be ready for action for 1 June – the date the Government has set for the official introduction of Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs in England and Wales.
The NHER’s programme gives people everything they need to build a successful career. It includes eight days of intensive training on construction, heating systems and energy efficiency. It also assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills against the national occupational standards set by the Government, so that they can achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment. Costs start from £2,250 depending on people’s existing level of knowledge and experience. For further information on the programme, go to www.dea-training.co.uk
The Leeds event on 14 February is the first of six major events being held around the country, organised by Asset Skills and the Department for Communities and Local Government. It’s free to attend, but you must first pre-register at energy-assessors.org.uk.
