22 February 2010 15:16
E.ON launches UK-first national metering qualification
E.ON's Metering business has led the industry in developing the next generation of engineers who will be responsible for installing the UK's future smart meter network by developing the industry's first nationally recognised qualification.
The first group of 23 students have now completed the City & Guilds accredited qualification in Electrical Metering, developed by E.ON's Metering business in conjunction with E.ON's Engineering Academy and the National Skills Academy for Power (NSAP).
Clive Buggins, Academic Development Manager at the E.ON Engineering Academy, said: "We consulted with the Association of Meter Operators to develop a qualification that fulfilled the needs of the industry and this is now being used as the national standard for all meter fixers.
"We believe this will become the benchmark for the whole country."
With smart metering coming in by the end of 2020 the whole country will need to have their gas and electricity meters changed. The role of these engineers is to install the new smart metering technology into customer's homes.
Steve Davies, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Power, said: "This is a great new qualification and the National Skills Academy for Power welcomes the opportunity to work closely with E.ON and all power sector employers, now and in the future, to support the development and delivery of further qualifications to provide the essential skills needed for the power sector."
Steve Davies, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Power, said: "This is a great new qualification and the National Skills Academy for Power welcomes the opportunity to work closely with E.ON and all power sector employers, now and in the future, to support the development and delivery of further qualifications to provide the essential skills needed for the power sector."
The qualification will develop into a full apprenticeship - giving students the chance to learn a wider range of skills and engineering competencies and establishing the metering workforce of the future
The Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering (Metering) was officially launched in January, after all of the 23 pilot candidates completed their qualification, the first in the UK.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. We employ around 16,000 people in the UK and more than 92,000 worldwide;
- E.ON's Engineering Academy is the UK's only Centre of Vocational Excellence for Electrical Power, the Engineering Academy offers training courses and apprenticeships in all aspects of power generation, electrical distribution and transmission - most of which result in nationally recognised qualifications.
- City & Guilds (http://www.cityandguilds.com/ ) is the expert and leading authority in vocational education and training - both in the UK and beyond;
- In operation for the last 130 years, City & Guilds is the UK's leading awarding body for work-related qualifications. Twenty million people in the UK have City & Guilds qualifications, and the organisation awards a further 2.2 million qualifications to learners every year.
For more information contact:
Rebecca Mara on 02476 183 679