Those interested in a career in the property sector can keep one step ahead of the competition and make sure they are prepared for changes to government legislation, applicable in England and Wales, when it comes into force later this year – thanks to new diplomas from City & Guilds.
The changes to the Housing Act regulations come into effect on 1 June 2007, meaning it will be illegal to sell a property without an Energy Performance Certificate, a compulsory part of the Home Information Pack (HIP). Only qualified Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors will be authorised to issue the certificates. City & Guilds’ new Level 3 Diploma for Domestic Energy Assessors is designed to give candidates the necessary knowledge and practical skills in the shortest time possible.
The qualification consists of two mandatory units covering the principles of energy assessment and five assignments on the full process of completing an Energy Performance Certificate, including a portfolio of site notes, sketch plans and digital photography.
Qualified assessors will then rate properties on a scale of A to G in terms of energy efficiency and carbon emissions, provide information on current average costs for heating, hot water and lighting and suggest ways to reduce costs with energy efficiency measures.
City & Guilds construction team manager Tara Pickles said: ‘The simple fact is that from June this year, the Energy Performance Certificate will be compulsory if you’re selling a domestic property. And you have to be a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor or Home Inspector to issue the certificate.
‘Our qualification is streamlined, flexible and gives the candidates the best foundation to a career as a Domestic Energy Assessor or as a Home Inspector.
‘I would encourage any interested parties to enrol on the qualification now to make sure that they don’t get caught out – or risk losing clients to competitors who are able to offer the certificates as part of their service.’
For those who want to become fully-qualified Home Inspectors, there is also a Level 4 Diploma for Home Inspectors, which includes the mandatory units from the Diploma for Energy Assessors.
Both City & Guilds qualifications are supported by Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for Housing, Property, Facilities Management and Cleaning.
For further information on the qualification, visit cityandguilds.com.