Free Green Deal Connections events are now available from the Green Deal Alliance (GDSA) for those working in energy assessment, advice and installation.
The GDSA is a partnership made up of Asset Skills, ConstructionSkills and SummitSkills that is offering a series of events to raise awareness of the skills required under the Green Deal.
The events will feature a speaker from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and provide an overview of the Green Deal skills process including qualifications, accreditation, regulatory bodies and code of conduct. Also included will be energy assessment advice regarding installation, information about regional low carbon groups and the creation of network connections and contacts to successfully implement the Green Deal.
Keith Marshall, OBE, chief executive of SummitSkills, said: 'There has been so much talk recently about Green Deal that not surprisingly many employers tell us they are unsure of where to start to prepare their people and their organisations to support and take advantage of the initiative.
'These events will guide visitors through the mass of information towards exactly what potential installers of environmental technologies need to know. Working with our partners Asset Skills and ConstructionSkills has enabled us to make the most of our joint resources and of each Sector Skills Council's expertise in their industries.'
Attendees are expected to be far ranging, from installers (such as heating engineers, plumbers, electricians and renewable technology installers) to energy suppliers, local authorities and housing associations, as well as energy assessors and advisors and those involved in building and environmental technology. Trade associations are also expected to attend along with professional bodies, trade unions and awarding bodies.
The GDSA aims to develop and implement the Green Deal Competency Framework, to develop common standards and qualifications to sit across all aspects of Green Deal assessment, advice and installation. The project is funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills through Phase 1 of the Employer Investment Fund.
Richard Beamish, chief executive of Asset Skills, said: 'The government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050. It is crucial that you attend this event if you want to remain at the forefront of the Green Deal and acquire the necessary information on the skills and accreditations needed to advise on and install new green technologies.'
Mark Farrar, chief executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: 'The Green Deal Connection events are an important way for SMEs to understand what skills and training they will need to prepare for the forthcoming Green Deal, which rolls out in just one year. The time to prepare for the future is now and it is vital that firms, particularly SMEs, are able to meet demand for the construction of low carbon technology, as well as knowing how not to fall foul of changing regulations. Government has already made it clear that only those qualified will be able to secure work from the Green Deal.
'These events are supported by CITB-ConstructionSkills'
Cut the Carbon campaign which is helping SMEs understand the impact of new legislative requirements impacting on carbon emissions, developing the right mix of knowledge and skills to respond to this demand and to ensure that government and larger contractors adequately support SMEs in meeting green skills needs.'
The Green Deal Connections events are taking place in or around the following cities:
· Peterborough - 19 October 2011
· London - TBC
· Newcastle - 3 November 2011
· Taunton - 17 November 2011
· Cardiff - 30 November 2011
· Birmingham - 26 January 2012
· Belfast - 8 February 2012
· Glasgow - 15 February 2012
· Manchester - 7 March 2012
To register, visit:
http://www.assetskills.org/GreenSkills/GreenDealConnections.aspx
To find out more, email
greendeal@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888. For the full list of events, see section below.
