PRLog (Press Release) –
May 07, 2008 – Building Up The South West's Skills In The Built Environment
Since 6th April, a growing number of commercial properties have been required to have Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to demonstrate how energy efficient they are. Currently commercial buildings with over 10,000 square metres of usable space are affected by the new legislation, but buildings with a smaller floor space will be covered by the new regulations from July 2008.
ABBE, the Awarding Body for the Built Environment and the number one provider of energy assessment qualifications, showed off its latest diplomas at Exeter’s Asset Skills event, to demonstrate to employers and professionals how they can benefit from the new changes.
Staff from ABBE met with local estate agents, home inspectors, surveyors and training organisations to talk about how they can improve their skills and business offering to comply with the new legislation. Only people who have the Level 3 Diploma in Non Domestic Energy Assessment or higher are qualified to produce Energy Performance Certificates for commercial properties.
ABBE offers qualifications at Level 3 (broadly equivalent to an A Level) and Level 4 (similar to an HND in standard) in Non Domestic Energy Assessment.
Sarah Dunkerley, ABBE Operations Manager said: “People are becoming more familiar with the idea of domestic energy assessment for homes, which the government introduced as part of Home Information Packs. The next challenge is to make people aware that commercial buildings now need these certificates too.
“This is an additional opportunity for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors to develop their skills in the commercial sector. It makes sense for people working within the building and construction industry to have the skills to assess energy performance in non-domestic properties, which will soon be required in 90% of commercial buildings by law.”
The Level 3 Diploma is appropriate for people who may currently be working as domestic energy assessors or home inspectors and are looking to expand their portfolio of skills. It can also be achieved by people who are new to the industry, and are keen to train in order to meet the growing skills gap for energy assessment. The Level 4 Diploma qualifies assessors to undertake more complex assessments, including newly built properties.
Sarah added: “We have over 50 assessment centres across the country, all of which are able to tailor a package of tuition to the learner’s requirements, so those with no prior knowledge can receive the training they’ll require to get up to speed with the regulations. People with prior experience of energy assessment can rely upon ABBE’s diplomas to provide them with the credentials they need to progress.”
Publicly accessed buildings – such as libraries, museums and schools – will also need to provide Display Energy Certificates (DECs) from October 2008, to show the public how energy efficient their buildings are. People looking to work in this area can undertake the ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Display Energy Certificates.
ABBE’s unique energy award structure allows candidates to use units already achieved in one energy assessment award to count towards further study in others. Plus, all ABBE qualifications are recognised nationally.
To find your nearest centre, visit www.abbeqa.co.uk or call 0121 331 5174.
ENDS
Issued by Chloe Lenton, BHMG Marketing Ltd. on behalf of Awarding Body for the Built Environment Ltd. For further information please call 0121 236 2871, 07976 293812 or email chloe@bhmgmarketing.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1) ABBE is the number one market leader for the provision of qualifications in the built environment. It is a specialist awarding body that provides NVQs and VRQs to the built environment Industry including property, construction, surveying, planning and project management.
2) Candidates who achieve the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Non Domestic Energy Assessment will automatically be competent to assess the smaller non-domestic buildings covered by the ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Non Domestic Energy Assessment.
3) Buildings that are publicly owned or accessed will also require a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). Practitioners looking to work in this area can take the ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Display Energy Certificate.
4) ABBE is regulated by the QCA (Qualification and Curriculum Authority), the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and DELLS (Department for Education Lifelong Learning and Skills) to ensure quality in assessment.
