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Don’t Miss the Boat as Renewables Make Sail   by Sue Cade

‘If we hit DECC’s current target of getting 15% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020, the employment prize will be enormous – up to half a million good, well-paying jobs across the UK’ – so said Ed Miliband on a guest spot on a TUC blog in March.

Fantastic news for the industry, but one question that keeps arising is where will all the people doing these jobs get their skills from? What about the need for installers to be trained to understand renewable technologies and be able to install them efficiently?

For example, how do you know if a heat pump is going to work in a particular property, or, for that matter, whether you need an air source, ground source or exhaust air heat pump. What happens when someone wants to talk to you about integrated systems such as heat pumps working with underfloor heating or solar thermal – or both?

It is a fact that there are currently not enough installers trained in renewable technology in the UK to meet the projected needs of the country and indeed, the expectations of the government. As things stand, the likelihood of meeting the zero carbon emissions target set for 2020 may well be pie in the sky.

Underfloor and renewables supplier Nu-Heat opened a bespoke training centre in 2008 due to a problematic lack of trained installers available to install the company’s renewables products. This proactive response has proved extremely successful both for Nu-Heat and for those who have since trained with the company.

Steve Rhodes, Nu-Heat’s Training Centre Manager is adamant when he says that ‘now is the right time for the forward-thinking installer to get to grips with renewable technology, and train for future business growth.’

Choosing a course

There are increasing numbers of courses available around the country. If you are looking at renewables for the first time you may be bewildered by the choice of courses available – and it can be difficult to identify genuine industry-recognised training. This is why organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE), SummitSkills and NICEIC have campaigned for manufacturers to offer approved courses.

Nu-Heat’s courses, for example, are NICEIC approved and focus on the principles and suitability of heat pumps, solar thermal and underfloor heating respectively. They cover the different models available, benefits, health and safety and government grant funding. Hands-on experience in the courses uses the very latest, state-of-the-art products, offering essential, practical experience that will be used afterwards on-site.

Successful completion of a course enables application for acceptance onto the NICEIC ‘Competent Persons’ (CPS) register. After registration, work can be self-certified easily online without Local Authority Building Control inspection. Additionally, membership of the CPS means that installers are eligible to apply for their own Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) number so installers can quote for work as both a competent person and a MCS approved installer.

Nu-Heat MCS Umbrella Scheme

Renewables installers may be reluctant to join MCS because of the administration required. Nu-Heat’s scheme:
* Removes effort and cost from installers
* Takes responsibility for providing the correct technical and installation information
* Enables access to government grants and funding for customers
* Gives installers a commercial advantage over competitors
* Offers support through a marketing package

Renewable Heat Incentive

The recently announced Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is due to be launched in April 2011 – the scheme aims to provide financial support to encourage the switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources including GSHP, ASHP and solar thermal DHW systems. RHI payments will be claimed by the owner of the equipment whether that’s a householder, social landlord or commercial organization. In small and medium sized installation both installer and equipment must be certified under MCS (as is the case with the current grant system that customers apply for). See http://www.nu-heat.co.uk/rhi for more information.

With RHI payments proposed to provide a rate of return of 12% on the additional capital cost of renewables and 6% with solar thermal, the scheme is very likely to give an enormous boost to the installation of the technologies – if you have your MCS certification, then this market will present a wealth of opportunity.

What price training?

Despite the ever-increasing business opportunities that training in renewable technology presents, installers often cite the cost of attending a course as the reason for their reluctance to retrain. Added to the course fees is the necessity of taking time taken out from paying work, which most installers can ill afford to do.

To soften the blow, there is some funding available to subsidise course fees. The European Social Fund provides pots of money to various organizations who allocate the funds, and training in renewable installations does attract funding. Tracking this down can take time in itself, but in the first instance the organizations to approach include your local rural development agency (www.englandsrdas.com), rural regeneration organization or the government-run Business Link. Business Link gives you the opportunity to sign up for email alerts that are relevant to your business, so you are only contacted as and when new funding streams in renewable technology training become available. You can also talk to a training provider, either to see if any previous trainees have received funding.

As there are pre-requisites with approved courses – NVQ level 2 in plumbing and heating or two years’ industry experience, with qualifications in Unvented Hot Water G3, Energy Efficiency and Water Regulations 1999 – there is definitely a need for combination training, and there may be discounted packages if you book more than one course.

For those who have already taken the plunge the future is looking positive. Mike Dowell of Micaul Solar took the move into renewables very seriously, putting business on hold temporarily while he and his partner trained. Mike says that this investment has paid dividends as the company has seen steady growth.

‘I would urge anyone wishing to establish themselves as a renewables installation specialist to invest in professional training. Integrating green technologies brings a whole new level of complexity because it’s a totally new way of doing things. Those prepared for the shift will be in the best position to exploit and maximise business benefits,’ says Mike.

His advice is simple to those considering a move into renewables: ‘Get up to speed with it. It is a new way of doing things and a significant change in the whole method of providing heating, hot water and even electricity in a lot of cases. It is a big, big shift and those that invest in training will succeed.’

Nu-Heat is currently running a ‘buy two get one free’ offer; book both the heat pump and solar thermal courses and receive a free two-day underfloor heating course. Book a place online at http://www.nu-heat.co.uk/training or call Milly on 01404 540616. To find out about the MCS Umbrella Scheme call 01404 549770.

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