Government microgeneration scheme faces shortage of certified engineers
Although the government's renewable energy scheme for Britain's 26 million households could create hundreds of engineering job vacancies, only 500 companies have the relevant certification.
The Sunday Times reveals that the micro-generation scheme, starting next month, could be hobbled by a "chronic shortage of certified engineers.'' Under the scheme, households will be able to collect a fixed fee for each kilowatt hour of electricity that they generate from roof-mounted solar panels, wind turbines or biomass boilers.
Whilst nearly 120,000 companies across the UK are certified and registered on the equivalent gas engineering scheme, Gas Safe, there has been far less interest in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) among those working in engineering. Recruitment to the scheme is being hampered by the cost and difficulty of the course, according to Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development for Worcester Bosch.
Schofield, whose company controls 28% of Britain's boiler market and supplies solar panels and air/ground heat pumps, says that the MCS programme has failed. He believes that the programme, designed to prevent 'cowboy salesmen', places too much regulation on anything but the largest engineering firms.
"It's just become a barrier to uptake" he told The Sunday Times. "We welcome consumer sense but we just need some common sense."
"In virtually every case, it is the local engineer who makes the final decision on whether a household needs to replace a new boiler and which product to use. If you don't embrace the installer and encourage them to fit new technology, then that is a huge restriction."
Under the government's vision for household energy, engineering jobs would be created across the country as people seek to fit new energy-efficient boilers and take part in the feed-in microgeneration scheme. However, if Schofield and other industry figures are correct then smaller firms could miss out on the opportunities on offer over the next five years.
Author: William Hobson
Keywords: Engineering Recruitment, Engineering Job Vacancies