The Energy Efficiency Training Programme

Cogent has been appointed Lead SSC to implement a major Energy Efficiency Training Programme on behalf of a partnership of organisations consisting of four SSCs (Cogent, Energy&Utilities Skills, Summitskills and CITB), the Energy Saving Trust, City and Guilds and the National Learning and Skills Council. The industry, through CORGI and trade association OFTEC, has played a key part in the development of the initiative and its ongoing evolution.

The programme was launched in response to the Government’s 2003 Energy White Paper on reducing the UK’s contribution to global warning, and changes to the Building Regulations (April 2005) that will make it compulsory for any new boiler installed to be of the energy-efficient condensing type.  OFTEC have conducted energy efficiency training for a number of years, however, this programme is designed for wider boiler technician sectors.  The Energy Efficiency Heating Installer Certification for Domestic Heating (City & Guilds 6084) course ensures that attendees are specifically trained and able to provide appropriate advice and guidance to customers.

Cogent and its SSC partners, working under the “Skills for Business” umbrella, have appointed, and quality-assured over fifty training centres charged with delivering the training course to a target of 45,000 installers by this March.  “Train the trainer” workshops are currently taking place and a publicity campaign has been launched to recruit applicants for the Certificate.  A pilot training course delivered by Worcester Bosch has already seen over 1,000 installers going through the programme.

Swapna Kak has been appointed project manager of a Cogent-led team, responsible for developing and implementing the programme.  A website has been launched (www.skills4business.org.uk) to provide information to the public, heating installers and those centres delivering the training and assessment and an energy efficiency training helpline  - 08080 100222 – has also been put in place.

For further information contact Swapna Kak - tel: 01224 787825.

The Rural Filling Stations Upskilling Pilot Programme (Scotland)
This programme aims to educate the operators of rural filling stations in HIE regarding legislative and regulatory requirement of operation.  For further information, contact Walter Williamson - tel: 07748 4000613