Considering training as a domestic energy assessor (DEA)?

Training as a domestic energy assessor (DEA) may seem like a good opportunity but it is essential to gain a good understanding of the market place prior to entering into the energy assessment field.

HIP-Consultant.co.uk has develop its services and areas we can provide Home Infomation Packs (HIPS) over a relatively short period. This expansion has been carried out gradually to ensure the continuity of quality remains; and that we do not fall foul of sacrificing customer service which has been key to the high level of customer satisfaction we have achieved.

HIP-Consultant.co.uk receive enquiries on almost a daily basis from current or potential domestic energy assessors (DEA) as I am sure other organisation will do. The discussion within the industry continues to be one of concern in regard to the current and rising number of DEAs; concerns which HIP-Consultant.co.uk mirror. The question which is inevitably asked by prospective DEAs is ‘should I train as a domestic energy assessor?

Number of trained energy assessors

The Government released figures as of 6th March 2008 shows there are currently 11,246 in the system and widespread estimates including those shared by the Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors (IDEA) are that only approximately 3.000 are actually required to service the related EPBD legislation.

In any market supply and demand forces take effect and domestic energy assessors (DEAs) are currently experiencing the negative consequences of this situation at present. There are many assessors who have re-trained and made large personal investments in time and money to make a success of this newly founded career. Unfortunately, this has not worked out for many DEAs in the manner they envisaged and in some circumstances were lead to believe it would by unscrupulous training providers.

Even with present domestic energy assessors (DEA) numbers, some training providers of the Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment continue to make unfounded claims of potential earnings of £75,000 p.a. This can and is leading people into paying and enrolling in the training course to find at a later date that this may not be the case.

So what can be done?

The following is intended to increase debate, discussion and thought around this issue and are not necessarily the views or recommendations of HIP-Consultant.co.uk.

  • Maximum allowable numbers of DEAs in the system
  • Tighter entry level requirements
  • Increased publicity of the actual and estimated required DEA numbers
  • Training providers to be required to state the over subscribed situation on course advertising publications
  • Limited area licenses to practice
  • Accreditation schemes to raise entry requirements

The solution is not one of any single action and the issue needs to be addressed and have ownership taken by the combined related industry organisations and professionals.

HIP-Consultant.co.uk would welcome the views and opinions of others whether in the industry or not. We look forward to your comments.

If you have found reading this article and following comments useful. We would appreciate if you will make a small donation to the NSPCC, thanks.

UPDATE: We have removed links to the official figures reported at the time of writing the original article.The web page which contained the figures has been removed and requests to view the page are now re-directed.

From our knowledge these figures are no longer published within the Governments’ websites. However, it is widely believed the number of DEAs has continued to grow.

We have applied for uptodate information from various Government Departments under the Freedom of Information Act and will be publishing up to date figures as and when we receive them.


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