Upskill for the Green Deal

 

The government’s Green Deal scheme, will be fitting almost 14million UK homes with energy saving technology by 2020, represents a massive opportunity for construction insurance holders to have a significant work stream until at least the end of the decade. If you’re the owner of a construction business you should be aware that the Government’s scheme is to deliver this work through accredited building companies and tradesmen.

 

This means that you need to get qualified now to make sure you get a slice of the green deal action.

 

To gain the skills to take part in the scheme and take advantage of the opportunity small builders, tradesmen and construction companies should keep four steps in mind to put themselves in line for Green Deal accreditation and business.

 

 

 

 

In order to be a Green Deal installer, all your staff will have to be qualified to retrofit energy saving technology. Getting current qualifications from a registered UK assessment centre will be the first step in ensuring your company can take advantage of the scheme. Currently there are two qualifications installers can gain:

• Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Insulation and Building Treatments – This covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, draught-proofing, internal insulation and insulating framed sections.

• Level 2  NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments – This covers wood preserving, damp proofing and cavity wall tie replacement.

 

As part of the Green Deal, your firm will also have to get approval from a UKAS certification body showing it is able to carry out retrofitting properly. This means proving your employees can operate installation equipment. Workers will need to have training that meets the National Occupational Standard (NOS). Federations such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) are working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to find out how small and medium sized building and construction businesses can upskill most efficiently and adapt their business plans to meet the opportunity.

 

Clients’ expectations of energy saving improvements are changing as new technology becomes available and now is the time for firms to ensure they understand their clients’ needs. To make the most of opportunities the smarter small and medium sized construction companies are already looking at innovative and effective skills they can learn to get a step ahead of the competition. New legislation is coming into place all the time, so keeping up to speed on changes will provide you with the necessary expertise to give advice and the most appropriate solutions to client’s issues.

 

Throughout the UK there will be assistance provided to firms who want to train themselves to become Green Deal friendly. CITB-Construction Skills are giving construction insurance holders advice on starting specialist training schemes. In Wales employers will have access to subsidised accredited training through the Delivering Low Carbon Skills Project and in Scotland the Scottish Building Federation will assist companies with expertise and technical advice. There will also be a country wide free-tour sharing important information which you need to know in order to develop your business and become Green-Deal friendly.