Skills Minister promotes green skills in Wales

It is the fourth in a series of events to raise awareness of the new skills required by energy assessors, energy advisors, solar panel installers and loft and cavity wall insulators as part of the forthcoming Green Deal.

The Welsh Government has already demonstrated commitment to the energy efficiency challenge in property through its Fuel Poverty and Arbed programmes.

The Deputy Minister for Skills said: “The Green Deal gives us a real chance to help achieve low carbon targets. This event is the ideal place for people to come and learn about the new skills needed to ensure its success. Programmes like this are helping us to deliver the skilled workforce that the Welsh economy needs to thrive.”

The Green Deal Connections events are free and present a chance to make significant progress in tackling the wider green agenda and cutting fuel costs. They are organised by the Green Deal Skills Alliance, made up of three Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) - Asset Skills, ConstructionSkills and SummitSkills.

Keith Marshall, OBE, Chief Executive of SummitSkills, said: “There has been so much talk recently about Green Deal that not surprisingly many employers tell us they are unsure of where to start to prepare their people and their organisations to support and take advantage of the initiative. These events will guide visitors through the mass of information towards exactly what potential installers of environmental technologies need to know.”

Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, said: “It is crucial that people attend this event if they want to remain at the forefront of the Green Deal. Only those with the right qualifications will be able to secure work from the Green Deal so it’s essential the workforce is aware of the training and accreditations that will be required.”

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “The Green Deal Connection events are an important way for SMEs to understand what skills and training they will need to prepare for the forthcoming Green Deal, which rolls out in less than a year. The time to prepare for the future is now and it is vital that firms, particularly SMEs, are able to meet demand for the construction of low carbon technology, as well as knowing how not to fall foul of changing regulations.”

The Green Deal Connections events are nationwide. For more information please email greendeal@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.