The National Skills Academy is looking to increase its membership base to help champion the industry in the light of Government initiatives, such as the Green Deal.
It is targeting companies that have the expertise to support the growing renewables sector and that could contribute to the delivery of an appropriately skilled and professional workforce to fulfil the needs of a low carbon future.

Three levels of membership are available - Platinum, Gold and Silver. The varying degrees of commitment could see businesses receive vouchers towards the cost of training, access to member-only National Skills Academy events and online knowledge hub, promotion via the website and recognition within its brochures and marketing materials. Membership also enables businesses to draw on some valuable promotional benefits too, such as the use of the now widely recognised logo.

In addition, the Academy points out that becoming a member demonstrates a commitment to a low carbon future and promotes companies as forward-thinking organisations.

One business reaping the benefits of the Academy's membership is Groundtherm, a renewable design and installation company based in the North West. Groundtherm is a founder member of the National Skills Academy's network of employers, and has had a hand in the growing renewable technology sector for almost a decade.

Over the past two years Groundtherm has supported a number of further education colleges, including National Skills Academy approved centres, Oldham and The Manchester College, assisting with renewable technology training. As a result, an educational partnership arm of the business 'Groundtherm Education' was established. It aims to install the highest quality workshop and training facilities in local colleges, as well as sharing its knowledge and experience of the green marketplace.

Managing director of Groundtherm, Andy Louth, said: 'It was an obvious choice to become members of the National Skills Academy as its network presents the leading environmental technology training in the country, adding credibility to our own business aims. It is vital that employers get behind the Academy and help it in its delivery of quality training and generally raising standards within the sector'.

In addition to its offering of renewable technology training, Groundtherm is now a valuable member of the National Skills Academy's employer steering group, which means it has the opportunity to influence the future industry educational requirements.

For more information, visit: http://www.nsaet.org.uk/membership/