The announcement in December that energy suppliers are to install smart meters in all UK households by 2020 has offered a boost to the jobs market. Energy suppliers will be responsible for installing the socalled ‘smart meters’ – which enable power companies to take readings remotely – for gas and electricity in all homes. The installation of 47 million meters in 26 million homes will cost around £340 per household.

 

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) says that the smart meters will spell the end of estimated billing, save consumers money, make electricity use more efficient and cut carbon emissions. The meters will have separate realtime display units so that home owners can see how much energy they are using, their carbon emissions and how much it is costing them.

 

Following the announcement, British Gas said that the rollout of smart meters would create 2,600 jobs in the company by 2012, including 2,100 experts in the field, 400 support staff and 100 managerial jobs. Such job creation is likely to be mirrored in other energy companies.

 

The introduction of the meters will, says DECC, be the responsibility of the energy suppliers but will be centrally coordinated to make it easy for customers to switch between companies.

 

 

 

 

The Institute of Energy Assessors (IDEA) would like to issue some words of caution to anyone who may be contemplating training for a career as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or Non Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA). In the past, government estimates on the number of DEAs required have ranged from 2,000 to 3,500. However, as far back as November 2007, not only did the number of DEAs either qualified or in training already exceed these figures, but there was evidence that there was still a large influx of individuals either contemplating or about to commence training as DEAs.

 

There are now thought to be over 12,000 qualified DEAs in England and Wales; although there are no official figures for NDEAs, IDEA is aware, through its members, that saturation point has been reached here, too. With this in mind, the Institute has asked us, on its behalf, to offer the following advice to readers: ‘When considering a career as an energy assessor or home inspector, regard should be had to current and future demand in an already oversubscribed profession.’ For more information, please telephone IDEA on 0844 576 3054 or visit http://whatstheidea.org.uk/blog/.