Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, recently declared that the Green Deal “is a massive economic job opportunity which could help Britain’s economy turn the corner.”
He added: “With up to 100,000 green jobs up for grabs over the next five years, and even more in the long term, this is about growing our economy in a way that’s good for the jobs, the environment and energy security.”
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
The Government’s ‘Green Deal’ initiative will launch in October 2012 and have a major impact on the building industry. The scheme will enable homeowners to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes (without paying for the work upfront) through long-term finance packages paid off via their energy bills. Energy costs will continue to rise, so additional financial incentives will help to increase the market for energy efficient home improvements.
This move to ‘greener’ buildings is expected to provide a springboard for growth which the building industry badly needs. The FMB is taking a proactive role in representing members’ interests by consulting with Government and industry bodies so that small firms (and especially FMB members) benefit from the Green Deal and aren’t squeezed out by the big firms who are lining up to enter this market.
Clear details of exactly how the Green Deal will work are yet to emerge. What is clear however is that consumer confidence will be key to the scheme’s success, and for that reason the Government will insist that anyone doing work financed by a Green Deal package, has the right accreditation (whether it be new heating systems, new windows, loft, wall or floor insulation, or renewable energy systems).
The Green Deal therefore creates an opportunity for those firms that invest in training and assessment to demonstrate their competence. These firms will be able to stand out from the rest as more professional and knowledgeable – giving them a competitive edge. FMB Training is working to make sure that members have the right training available to them in good time to gear up for the Green Deal.
THE GREEN DEAL CAN BE A GOOD DEAL FOR FMB MEMBERS
According to a survey of FMB members carried out in October 2011, 60 percent of members are reporting that clients are asking them for advice on energy efficiency, and 90 percent of members think that will increase in the future due to rising energy costs and financial incentives. 65 percent of members also say that they will need to know more about energy efficiency in buildings in order to advise clients. So there is a clear need for further training aimed at giving experienced builders the additional knowledge they need.
Old buildings, including the 6.6 million pre-1919 solid wall construction homes in the UK will present a particular challenge for builders and clients, requiring highest quality work.
FMB TRAINING COURSES
The FMB will be able to offer the best training for members by giving them access to practical hands-on courses, developed BY builders FOR builders and we can keep costs to a reasonable level because we are a non-profit body which works for the benefit of members. This is important because once the Green Deal is up and running there will be many training companies offering ‘Green’ training of varied costs and quality! It will no doubt be a confusing market place.
We are planning courses in the following areas, and course duration, locations and costs are all yet to be confirmed:
1. An introductory course in energy efficient retrofit designed for experienced builders, giving them practical guidance and understanding of which materials and techniques work best, as well as guidance on accessing the finance available under the Green Deal
2. Specialist course in solar and renewable energy installation
3. Specialist course in ‘hard to treat’ solid wall and heritage buildings
4. Green Deal assessor courses for members wishing to re-train as assessors. Courses will be available to you from spring 2012, to prepare for the Green Deal launch in the autumn.
