14 unemployed Liverpool city region residents will train as energy assessors to support a programme to retrofit energy efficiency measures to homes. Tony McDonough reports

Funding of £15,000 from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will see 14 unemployed people trained as energy assessors.

Sefton Council, Halton Council and housing association Prima Group are looking to retrofit homes with energy efficiency measures as part of the drive to slash carbon emissions. 

Aintree-based energy and construction specialist Ecogee has been recruited by the trio through Knowsley-based procurement expert Fusion21, to undertake assessments and carry out the necessary work.

However, Ecogee is struggling to find enough skilled retrofit assessors. They are needed to measure the energy performance of properties and analyse everything from insulation to heating and ventilation systems.

Now, thanks to the CA funding, 14 local unemployed people will train as retrofit assessors. On a course designed by Liverpool-based Complete Skills Solutions, they will cover everything from building surveys to producing accurate reports on how energy efficient a building is known as Energy Performance Certificates.

During the three-week training the recruits will be able to put their new skills into action, shadowing experts and joining Ecogee’s teams when they carry out work in domestic properties on behalf of Sefton Council, Halton Council and Prima Group.

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Sarah Maguire, Fusion21’s head of social value, said she was delighted Fusion21 had been able to bring everyone together for the “win-win” project.

“This is a fantastic collaboration which will make a real difference to the lives of local unemployed residents,” she explained.

“We’re delighted to have helped join the dots on this scheme that will not only help fourteen people get the industry-ready training and skills needed to gain jobs with our suppliers and helping people but allow all the organisations involved to deliver their own social value commitments.

“And it’s great that aside from realising its social value ambitions Ecogee will get the cream of the crop and recruit employees that meet their requirements and enhance its work to help people live in more energy efficient homes.”