Budding renewables installers are to be given a free helping hand to get their business off the ground and gain certification to install small-scale renewables.
A new Scheme Support service has been launched by MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme).
Designed for anyone who is thinking about becoming MCS-certified – or those installers who already are – it offers one-to-one advice, workshops, masterclasses and sharing of technical information and expertise.
A newly appointed team will offer online, telephone or face-to-face guidance for those who are working towards becoming MCS certified, alongside technical support on how to comply with MCS requirements.
MCS has appointed industry figures, Julian Hodgson and Steve Webster, who will travel the breadth of the UK in their new roles, meeting with installers to offer the new service.
Julian is an apprentice trained heating engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the industry and a lifelong environmentalist, with a real passion for all things renewable. As a former trainer, technical assessor and installer of renewable heating installations, Julian has experience of MCS from both sides of the fence.
A member of the CIPHE and an EngTech with the UK Engineering Council, Steve is a degree-qualified and trained heating and renewables engineer. He has years of practical design and installation experience, having run his own small, successful MCS certified heating and renewable energy business installing PV, Heat Pump and Solar Thermal technologies.
Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, said: “There is an abundance of opportunity in small-scale renewables and, with talk of radical new climate change commitments from the Government, we need to grow the workforce.
“We are working hard to remove barriers to entry for installers, having recognised the challenges faced when attempting to make the pivot into the renewables sector. The launch of this free scheme from MCS signals the start of this and I’m delighted to welcome Steve and Julian on board. Their technical know-how and approachable nature will be well received by installers and I think they will make a real difference to the sector.”
MCS Scheme Support is to help prepare for, but is separate from, certification.
For more information on accessing the service, please contact the MCS Helpdesk on 0333 103 8130 or visit the MCS website.
