Domestic and commercial energy assessors calculate the energy efficiency of homes, apartments and other buildings. This article provides a brief introduction to Continuing Professional Development for Energy Assessors in the UK, including an overview of the energy industry, types of CPD, and where to find training to support your CPD requirements.
Overview of the Energy Industry
The energy industry is one of the largest in the world and is a sector that’s vital to the lives of people everywhere. The energy industry is vast, spanning many different areas, professions and specialisations. In general, it refers to the generation of power from oil, gas, nuclear, and renewable resources such as wind and solar. With a government pledge of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the UK energy industry is more important than ever, with demand for energy assessors projected to grow as a result.
Being a domestic or commercial energy assessor is an accredited position in the UK that is approved by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). To ensure that customers receive a quality service and retain confidence in the scheme, all energy assessors must initially undergo training or prove competence at the point of accreditation. Once qualified, all accredited energy assessors are required to keep their knowledge relevant and up to date by undertaking annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
By its very nature CPD is ongoing, the Energy industry is growing rapidly as new regulations and improved technologies are introduced. The benefit of CPD is that it enables individuals to keep on top of the changing face of their professional environment, giving them, and their customers the assurance that they are operating to the best of their ability to remain at the forefront of their fields.
All energy assessors are required to carry out a specified number of hours of CPD in each accreditation year in order to keep you up to date with the latest conventions and guidance. Whatever accreditation scheme you are a member of will be involved in encouraging and tracking the CPD of its members.
How to become a domestic energy assessor?
While a number of organisations currently offer energy assessment services, EPCs and DECs may only be produced by an accredited energy assessor. To work as a domestic energy assessor, you’ll need to complete a Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment and become a member of an approved accreditation scheme.
Accreditation schemes ensure energy assessors are competent and possess the appropriate skills to conduct these assessments. An individual is required to either have a recognised qualification from an awarding body or approved prior experience and learning equivalent to the National Occupational Standard requirements.
Usually you will need a degree in an engineering discipline, such as electrical, chemical, environmental or energy. Some universities offer engineering degrees that include subjects in increasingly relevant subjects such as renewable or sustainable energy. Energy assessors should hold a current qualification in energy inspection.
You may want to work towards gaining chartered engineer status (CEng). This is an internationally recognised qualification to show that Energy Assessors are degree-qualified and have gained the highest level of professional competencies through training and monitored professional practice experience.
The CPD Certification Service are a leading provider of CPD accredited training courses in the UK. If you are looking for energy training to enhance your career, you can find a full range of online CPD short courses, workshops, seminars, webinars or educational events in the Energy CPD Hub.
What are the different types of CPD training for Energy Assessors?
Although there is not a set route or programme with regard to CPD, as different people will begin the process at different levels of experience and knowledge; the process follows certain guidelines that allow each to achieve what is planned. Your choice of activities, duration and quantity are whatever you feel are necessary for you to achieve your own CPD development goals.
The basis of CPD is upon developmental results rather than ticking off boxes. Any activity that helps you develop your expertise as an Energy Assessor, achieve a consistent and professional standard of work, and engage with your colleagues and other industry professionals in new and effective ways can be considered as appropriate CPD.
Generally, CPD study that you complete should consist of:
- 50% energy related matter
- 50% for non-energy subjects, such as other aspects of building construction or wider business related topics (time management, marketing, health and safety etc).
CPD activities for Energy Assessors can include, Training courses, Work experience, Academic study, Volunteering, attending Events and Self-Study. Online courses for Energy Assessors are becoming increasingly popular in recent years particularly due to the significant improvements in eLearning technology. Online CPD is able to be completed around your existing time restraints, and can help keep skills up to date suitable for your ongoing CPD obligations.
Outline of the CPD requirements
All certified energy assessors in the UK must adhere to a mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) policy. The policy states that in order to maintain a valid certification energy assessors must:
- Participate in additional learning activities
- Keep skills up to date within your specialist area
- Widen general knowledge related to your specialist area
CPD is an annual requirement and coincides with the start and end date of the individual assessors certification. Within the certification year, the assessor must:
- Complete 10 hours Valid CPD per certification strand
- For any additional strands, the certified assessor must:
- Complete an additional 5 hours Valid CPD per additional strand i.e. DEA and NDEA (NDEA LEVEL 3, 4 and DECs count as one strand
