NEA is currently developing a new course for Green Deal Advisers leading to a qualification that will meet the requirements of the National Occupational Standards. Delivered in partnership with a local college, this qualification will enable individuals to become accredited and fully able to work under the Green Deal scheme as assessors and advisers when the scheme is introduced in late 2012.
As details of the Green Deal adviser qualification have not yet been finalised and published there is still uncertainty about the exact roles of those working within the scheme and the level of qualifications required. To pave the way for the Green Deal the Government has announced the extension of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) to December 2012.
NEA's well established, Energy Awareness 6281-01 qualification (previously 6176-01) which is accredited by City and Guilds is fully recognised and accepted by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for those working under CERT and also the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) scheme.
The 6281-01 is also a qualification recognised by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes' Code of Practice for Domestic Energy Efficiency Advice and meets the knowledge requirements of NVQs - Provide Energy Efficiency Services (Level 3) and Home Energy Advice Award (Level 3).
Recent updates of the 6281-01 and the new complex 6281-02 Renewable Energy in the Home, will ensure that NEA qualifications continue to be relevant and an industry requirement.
Since its start in 1990 around 20,000 candidates have sat the 6281-01 and over 500 the new 6281-02. We anticipate that candidates that hold these qualifications will be exempt from having to re-study certain units of the new Green Deal Adviser qualification.
NEA feels that it would be unfair and misleading to offer courses at the present time when the requirements of the Green Deal scheme and qualification are not yet fully known. Once the qualification is published we will release details of our course along with where / when it will take place.
Expressions of interest for the Green Deal course:
Lynsey Thompson, Training Co-ordinator, National Energy Action, Tel: 0191 261 5677, E-mail: lynsey.thompson@nea.org.uk