NHER looks for more domestic energy assessors 

The National Home Energy Rating (NHER) scheme has launched a new training and assessment programme to ensure that there will be enough qualified energy assessors in time for major housing market reforms starting next summer. Thousands of these home energy efficiency experts are urgently needed if the country's is to meet carbon emissions targets.

The Government plans to introduce mandatory Energy Performance Certificates for all homes sold after 1 June 2007.  This new training programme will help to avoid any shortage of experts to produce these reports.

Austin Baggett, head of the NHER scheme says: "The Government confirmed that an enormous seven million tonnes of carbon and billions of pounds from fuel bills could be saved each year by simple measures like cavity wall and loft insulation. We need to encourage householders to take action and to reduce carbon emissions from the largest polluter of all - the UK's housing stock.

"However, the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates is in jeopardy if there are insufficient numbers of trained and qualified experts to do the certification and to offer advice to homeowners on cost-effective improvements. Our new programme of training and assessment ensures we can deliver this vital first step towards carbon saving."

A formal qualification for energy assessors will be announced early next year. However, Austin Baggett says: "We simply cannot wait that long. For those wishing to qualify in time for next June, and who have not got any direct experience, they need to start their training now.  Undertaking an energy audit of a home is complex and you cannot gain the skills with a half day training course.

"The draft national occupational standards are already available, and we are confident of the skills required to provide high quality certificates and advice to householders on the carbon and fuel cost savings that can be achieved."

NHER's Domestic Energy Assessor programme includes eight days of intensive training on construction, thermal physics and energy efficiency. It also will assess a candidate's knowledge and skills against the draft national occupational standards recently published by Asset Skills.

The training and assessment programme costs £3,250 and can be completed in 12 weeks. The NHER's first training course will take place on 7 December.

More information: www.nher.co.uk