Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) and Home Inspectors numbers updated
After our recent article, should i train as a domestic energy assessor? which has received a massive number of comments and strength of feeling within the responses; we have decided to follow this up with the latest announcement by the Government.
The Government periodically announces combined numbers of Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors and breaks the figures down into the stage they have achieved at the time of reporting. The numbers continue to rise from the last published figures on the 6th March 2008. As of 23rd May 2008 the official numbers are:
Accredited - 7,930 (increase of 829 from 6/3/08)
Qualified - 1,464 (passed exams and qualified, but not yet become accredited)
Passed exams - 4,816
Total in system who have passed exams or progressed further - 14,210 (increase of 2,784 from 6/3/08)
It is worth remembering that these figures do not show those that are currently practicing. It is anticipated that both Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors (whom many have never carried out enough Home Condition Reports even to regain a fraction of the training costs) have left the industry. It is sad that these people have been unable to survive within the industry; often citing a lack of instructions and income as the main defining reason for leaving to find alternative employment.
We have also included the regional breakdown figures of DEAs/HIs accredited with an indication of the increase of numbers since 6th March 2008.
North East 368 + 22
North West 947 + 102
Yorkshire & The Humber 582 + 45
East Midlands 618 + 83
West Midlands 743 + 73
East of England 789 + 61
London 644 + 61
South East 1289 + 124
South West 1021 + 111
Wales 426 + 50
Unknown 503 + 97
Total 7930 + 829
Industry professionals continue to believe that a realistic number of Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) required is in the region of 2500-4000. It is hard to place a figure on required numbers of Home Inspectors (HI) as the Home Condition Report (HCR) which they were originally expected to complete continues to be entirely voluntary with no major signs in it becoming manadatory within the Home Information Pack.
For those DEAs and HIs currently practicing it is causing great concern that these numbers are allowed to grow at such an alarming rate. But what can be done?
It does appear that there are training providers that are still successfully ’selling’ the DEA dream, of which realistically how many have been achieved?
Is it right that training providers are allowed to continue to provide training courses to people who will in most cases not be able to secure work once qualified?
With the above facts, it begs the question when will the expanding numbers of DEAs cease?
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August 27th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
The amount of DEAs in the NW area is shocking, maybe enough work for 1/2 EPCS a week! It also looks like that the areas with the highest numbers also have a well known Training company with offices based there.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I think London will be the area to suffer most as the numbers of DEAs there seems very low. I live and work in Herts but wouldn’t want to travel to London to work. I have been practising for 2 months and only had 2 phone calls in that time and no work. I’m getting hungry - but I still won’t touch London.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hi,
One IDEA is that where a training provider is unable to offer gainful employment to those qualifying in whatever field, be it Gas Fitters, Driving Instructors, Computer Specialists and even DEA’s any advertising for training must clearly state that Employment can not be Guaranteed when Qualified and all applicants should enquire as to potential Job opportunities available before enrolling.
We need to campaign that this is a minimum requirement in this type of advertising. Our MP’s should pass into legislation this minimum requirement if the legislative powers of the relevant ministers will not permit this.
Just a thought!
Kim.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
So my question is this - what about the legislation to include EPCs for rented properties as of October? Surely this will mean more requirement for DEAs?
September 4th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Hi Tim,
You are right, as of,leading up to and after the 1st October there will be an increase in potential work for DEAs. This is anticpated to be an increase for a short period as landlords and agents fulfill their immediate EPC requirements. It must be remembered it is not all rented property that requires an EPC as of 1st October 2008, only those that are marketed.
After that time it will increase the overall number of EPCs required for eg per year. However, it is far from expected that these increases will sufficiently sustain a modest income for those already in the profession. Many of whom have invested large amounts of money and time.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
i hope that there is more work for the DEA’s soon
October 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
So in your (all of your) opinion is it worth trainig to become an assessor? I would be working in the Yorkshire ares
October 9th, 2008 at 7:56 am
i am considering starting a course next week as a Home Inspector to cover London. I am now most likely to reconsider my position having read some comments. Can anybody please let me know how they are getting on in London and has things changed since 01 October 2008. Good luck to everybody.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hi Paul,
I dont know if you have read this post as it is no longer on our homepage, training as a DEA / HI. However, i will clarify the position within this post.
At present the Home Inspector role, which was created to service Home Condition Report (HCR) instructions has little to no demand; due to the HCR not being mandatory.
It is an optional document within the HIP and due to this has very, very little uptake. HIP-Consultant.co.uk have only ever been asked to carry out one HCR and this is not uncommon by other providers standards from our knowledge and experience.
However, Home Inspectors can carry out Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) as do Domestic Energy Assessors DEA (which is a different training course to become a DEA)
There has been a rise in energy assessments due to the EPC implementation on the 1st October 2008. Based upon the feedback and enquiries we receive from DEAs already qualified and within the industry plus involvement with industry groups , this rise has not been great enough to provide a ‘decent’ living for all.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hi,
I am cosidering to train as a DEA or Home Inspector in London Area. Any body can give names of good training companies. Any comments on the prospects. Is it possible to get any grants for such training?
jamil
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Iam a DEA ive been off work for two years from injury iam a former carpenter my injury stopped me doing this so i trained and passed my exams as a DEA at a cost of 4000 quid they dont tell you the hidden extras, your told your estimate earnings could be 55′000 quid utter rubbish all the work goes to the big company’s who pay maybe 20000 grand a year . good luck to anybody who tries this line of work as for me iam looking for some other way to pay my loan off for this exciting career oppotunity . Adam