Devon Renewable Energy Skills and Training Project Prepared for RE4D Board/ Devon County Council

1. Devon Renewable Energy Skills and Training ProjectPrepared for RE4D Board/Devon County Council Presentation by Nigel Tremlett 21st May 2008

2. Project aims and tasks Contextual overview Sub-sector coverage and findings Key recommendations Further points Pilot conduct and findings Dissemination event plans Presentation outline

3. Aim: To assist the RE sector by providing clear advice informing it about the skills and training necessary for business development and assessing the levels of training provision from public and private sector providers. Main tasks: Mapping Training Provision; A Training Audit of Installers; A Pilot assessing the impact of training on business performance; Workforce Development Plans for seven sub-sectors Producing Recommendations in a full report; and Arranging a Dissemination Event to publicise the findings The Project

4. Some Key Leitch Principles * A demand led system Strengthening employers voice Economically valuable qualifications * Employer engagement in skills Management & leadership/HE investment Training low skilled employees * Adapt and respond The future is unknown Must be able to react quickly National overview 1

5. Two SSCs cover RE sector Energy and Utility Skills Electricity, gas, waste management and water industries Summit Skills Building services engineering sector, covering Air conditioning/refrigeration Electro-technical Heating and ventilation Plumbing Building services engineering consultancy National overview 2

6. Skills Issues Analysis Energy and Utility Skills Regulation Competence Skills Provision Recruitment and attractiveness Summit Skills Skills deficiencies in renewable/environmental technologies Absence of future skills planning makes sector weak Lack of management focus Fundamental overhaul of curriculum required National overview 3

7. RSP priorities Improving leadership and management skills Developing the enterprise skills of all ages Developing the skills to increase innovation and creativity Ensuring that the skills needs of the region, and in key sectors, are addressed at level 3 and above (including HE) LSC priorities Creating demand for learning and skills Transforming the FE system to meet demand Better skills, better jobs, better lives SW and Devon overview 1

8. Devon Economic Strategy Priority: Developing and harnessing skills to achieve a competitive economy Action Framework: Develop the local response to create employment/skills boards Influence providers to ensure provision meets business needs Encourage investment/commitment to workforce development Raise aspirations and reduce barriers Work with HE to encourage attraction/retention of graduates SW and Devon overview 2

9. RE Sector Training Provision Map 1

10. RE Sector Training Provision Map 2

11. 156 courses in Devon Mainly traditional in construction and utilities sectors such as engineering and plumbing. Few courses geared towards RE (5 in total, of which 2 solar). 15 courses in the South West Limited coverage but can be provided on a bespoke basis at a mutually convenient location (i.e. HETAS). Engineering is most common. 50+ courses outside the South West Wider and more specialised range of renewable energy courses such as those provided by CAT. RE Sector Training Provision Map 3

12. Curriculum needs overhauling Lack of clarity on legal requirements Lack of clarity on industry standards Limited availability of relevant courses RE Sector Training Provision Review

13. Workforce profile Mixed high and low level skills Cross-sector abilities (i.e. working in two+ sub-sectors) Lack of clarity over regulatory requirements Generally male and older Skills needs Need for defined level of technical expertise to install in a manner meeting regulations Need for higher level technical expertise to adopt/ exploit latest technologies Need for business expertise to thrive Devon RE sector TNA findings 1

14. Business growth constraints Growing and maturing sector, but significant variations between sub-sectors in terms of supply and demand This means that for some a lack of skilled staff is a constraint while for others marketing, networking, product development, etc are more important Training undertaken Limited by need, time and enthusiasm Those who are enthusiastic have travelled far Others have been making do Devon RE sector TNA findings 2

15. Hydro 4/7 installers interviewed Wind 10/20 Photo voltaic 9/13 Solar 9/35 AD 2/3 Biomass 8/35 Heat pump 6/11 Sub-sector TNA coverage

16. Workforce Development Plans summary Workforce profile Skills needs Business drivers Training provision availability for sub-sector Sub-sector summary findings

17. Mechanical Engineers / Electricians / Technician team (including electronics, plant machinery) H&S / Working at Heights / Risk Assessment / Manual Handling Knowledge base: driven seeking assurance about product performance, technical operation and service quality - cost effectiveness CAT MSc module (not City & Guilds) Wind power findings

18. Electricians / Electrical Engineers – recruits’ supply required at Level 3; market led by Levels 4 and above Installation management Roofing, Scaffolding, Bricklaying Site safety Knowledge base: driven seeking assurance about product performance and service quality - cost effectiveness No C&G accredited courses in SW Photo voltaic findings

19. Engineering graduate / experienced mechanical engineer prerequisite (Levels 7/8) Cost-effective but small number of companies 4 “crash courses” (CAT; Hydro Generation) Capacity issue for large tenders and ‘essential’ skill sets (e.g. Office software and vehicular training) Hydro Power findings

20. 35 companies, despite barriers in cost effectiveness and import of collectors Convergence of trades: heating engineers plumbers; and roofers Multi-skilled, competent workforce: Level 3 Computerised Accounts H&S / Working at Heights / Risk Assessment / Manual Handling Reasonable supply in area: supplemented by Wales (CAT) / Austria (Sonenkraft) Solar Thermal findings

21. Commercial; high growth for installers Wood fuel supply chain need recruits Convergence of trades: heating engineers and plumbers; forestry Multi-skilled, competent workforce: Level 3 Sub-technology: Biodeisel processing knowledge need Prequisite Unvented Hot Water & Ignite training available in area: Level 3 wood fuel & manufacturer training beyond Biomass findings

22. Qualifications and expertise: scarce; Loughborough University / CIWM not specific Plant manufacture and set-up: economies of scale; capital financing Centralised system: corporate clients (e.g. St Ivel) or on-site (farms, wastes, digestate)? Sage Accounts Software Anaerobic Digestion findings

23. Knowledge of Heating and Building Regulations Computerised Accounts (e.g. Sage) H&S / Working at Heights / Risk Assessment / Manual Handling Commercially viable – high growth, more companies & employees Training centre in Honiton (Nu-Heat) Convergence of trades (refrigeration, heating engineers, plumbers) Heat pumps findings

24. RE sector skills working group/board Proactive engagement with SW RSP and SSCs Skills champion and business mentor Training brokerage service Increase relevant level 2,3,4 qualifications Network academy LABGI funds to address long-term skills needs Feasibility study into Devon CAT Regular updating of Training Map Key Recommendations

25. Employer involvement and engagement Key Principle

26. The lack of awareness

27. Barrier importance vs mitigation timescale

28. Create a Devon RE sector skills and training working group/board. Joint public/private, employer/installer, provider/ manufacturer/stakeholder membership; Employer/installer input and active engagement essential from each sub-sector; Agree priority skills areas for Devon sector; Agree sub-sectors for focus; and Agree objectives/resources/delivery plan for Devon. Recommendation 1

29. Active engagement with SSCs and RSP. Curriculum/regulations update; Co-operation over training activities/plans/pilots for region; Joint networking academy (See later slide); and Learning from training activities in other regions. Recommendation 2

30. Create a RE sector skills champion and business mentor The accreditation of companies; Joint business/learning opportunities; Awareness campaign for legal requirements; Investment and funding opportunities; Work placements for MBA students; and Business development advice. Recommendation 3

31. Create an RE training brokerage service. Provision of joint training for employees of groups of interested companies on known and requested skill needs; Build up understanding of changing employer/ installer needs (“adapt and respond”); Influencing and working with providers to increase and match provision to needs. Recommendation 4

32. Public and private providers to be influenced to increase relevant level 2, 3 and 4quals To include: Apprenticeship frameworks “Bolt-on” courses as extra units for existing qualifications (in plumbing and electrical connection, for example); and Increase the number of renewable technology-specific courses. Recommendation 5

33. ‘Network academy’ STEP Programme / TGPs student placements Need for tacit knowledge / experienced trainers 5 companies who can train: Nu-Heat; Alvesta; Hydro Generation; Forest Fuels; DC/DC Power Support FE Courses (NDC & CG) Sustainability / RE sites (RDCP; Schumacher) Continue DSEN / Pathfinder CSCS scheme: installer access to construction Recommendation 6

34. LABGI funds to be used to fund training addressing long term needs in sector: Courses addressing skills needs such as accounting, roofing, management, etc Consider prioritising less developed sub-sectors (such as anaerobic digestion and heat pumps) Prioritise training for younger, diverse workforce Two options for fund: Make available on needs/grant basis Offer on first come/first served basis Recommendation 7

35. Investigate the creation of a Devon Skills Centre for RE sector Feasibility study considering demand, location, cost, alternatives, etc Consideration should be given to working with and without CAT Need to agree limitations/objectives/partners Recommendation 8

36. Regularly update Training Provision Map Publicise it to installers AND providers Make available on-line Build-in updatable link for self completion by providers Should also include detail on industry standards, statutory requirements, etc Recommendation 9

37. Links between recommendations

38. Three courses HETAS 12th, 13th & 14th Feb BPEC 18th & 19th Feb Working at heights 14th March Attendees: 33 HETAS 13 (out of 15) BPEC 8 Working at heights 12 Pilot training

39. HETAS: 3 days @ Treco, Devon 13 candidates: 7 passes plus 6 with credit (80% score is pass rate) Great variation in previous experience and knowledge of of candidates However all had enthusiasm to learn Course relevant to all wishing to be part of Competent Persons Scheme for Solid Fuel Pilot feedback - tutor

40. HETAS: 3 days @ Treco, Devon Course provides necessary qualification that “opens doors” Attendees will be using the “rules and regulations” knowledge in every day work Has given some the opportunity to progress their careers/businesses Course did not focus on modern appliances Pilot feedback - attendees

41. BPEC: Two days @ SWAAT, Liskeard 8 candidates, all passed “The course went extremely well, we had some excellent feedback, Tom observed and didn’t have anything negative to add – so it might be worth talking to him, hope this helps” Sally Kent Pilot feedback - tutor

42. BPEC: Two days @ SWAAT, Liskeard 100% relevant More depth requested Greater focus requested on specific areas of interest, such as calculation of panel size Many attendees expect to use skills in future, though some have done so already Longer term impact will be more installations Pilot feedback - attendees

43. Working at heights All attended Initial feedback from course convenor and attendees positive Pilot feedback

44. Focus – Research findings plus commitment Attendees and numbers – stakeholders, installers, providers, partners, others? Location – Woodlands Date – Early July Length – half day Dissemination event