North East company launches energy training scheme

Newcastle-based Future Energy Solutions Ltd has launched a scheme to educate the new generation of gas and electric meter readers.

Qualification from the course opens the door for newly qualified meter installers to join the drive to install smart meters in every home in the country by 2020.

The courses are aimed primarily at trained electricians and gas installers in the North of England and Scotland.

Future Energy estimates that, based on government figures, up to 16k meter installers will need to be trained to meet the 2020 target.

Future Energy aims to help meet that demand by training 400 meter installers a year for the next five years.

Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters and are a cornerstone of government plans for upgrading the UK’s energy system.

Consumers with smart meters will be offered an in-home display (IHD) that lets them see how much energy they are using and what it will cost. This will let them have more control over their energy use and help them save energy and money.

Future Energy is the brainchild of well-known North East entrepreneur Tim Cantle-Jones, who said: “This is a really exciting time in the power supply industry and our aim is to be in the vanguard and help create here in the North East an army of installers to lead the national drive to get smart meters into every home and business.”