STATEMENT

22 August 2003

EST TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY- LED ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRAINING

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) understands the crucial role installers have in the market for energy efficiency and is committed to supporting them.

In April 2003 the EST announced that it was changing the way it provided energy efficiency training to installers. Instead of running its own programmes, the EST took the strategic decision to develop energy efficiency training programmes in partnership with City and Guilds and the heating industry. The new training programmes will replace the EST’s Energy Efficiency Installer network (EEI) which closed at the end of June 2003.

The EEI network was a niche training scheme and reached a limited number of installers. However, the market place has changed considerably since the network was established with the Energy White Paper clearly stated the need for blanket training for all installers. In particular, changes to the building regulations in April 2005 will require every installer to fit condensing boilers. A new approach is needed to deal with the future demand for these types of installers which would not be possible through the EEI network alone.

The EEI network will be replaced with an industry-wide training programme due to be launched later this year. The EST is currently working with manufacturers, trade bodies, training providers and City and Guilds to run a pilot phase of the new training programme. The results of the pilot are currently being evaluated to ensure the programme effectively meets the needs of the industry.

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The decision to close the EEI was made in consultation with the industry and was communicated to members of the installer network by letter and to the wider installer community via the trade press.

Kelly Butler, Head of Home Energy Marketing at the EST said: “We have consulted with industry and the EEI network has been invaluable to its members and consumers. Now it makes sense for us to join forces and develop and accredit training programmes and make them available to more installers. This is especially vital for the heating industry which will be moving towards manufacturing products that do not go below the SEDBUK A or B rating by 2005.

“Customers are becoming more energy efficient savvy and will look to installers to offer advice on which products will make their home more energy efficient. The move to create a new training structure will benefit more installers and equip them with the relevant skills they will need to compete in the fast changing installer market.”

Any installer with questions about the scheme’s closure should call their local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012 or write to Kelly Butler at the Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H.