Peter Behan, Director of Group Horizon, discusses the company’s Junior Energy Management apprenticeship programme and the benefits it could bring to your company.

Before social distancing came along, energy efficiency had become the most important aspect in commercial building management. The onset of Covid and the subsequent lockdowns has perhaps exacerbated the need for energy efficiency in buildings; this was clearly evident when we were all told to stay at home while lights continued to burn brightly in office buildings up and down the country. Not all of them of course, and organisations who were well on top of their energy management will have had systems in place to switch off services that were not required as people began to work from home where possible.

Even now as some of us return to our normal places of work, in many cases commercial buildings will be operating at a reduced capacity, with some areas of a building used much less than before. Maintaining a tight grasp on their energy efficiency is therefore going to be crucial for organisations in both the short-term and the long-term. There is also the significant challenge of the UK’s net-zero carbon by 2050 target looming on the horizon. If we are to achieve this then we must continue to address the well-documented statistic that buildings account for over 40 per cent of the global energy consumption with commercial premises accounting for more than half of that figure.

Due to the rise of the cost of energy the UK will become one of the most competitive market places for energy management skills over the next five to seven years. With a major shortage of trained energy managers, Group Horizon can help companies reduce energy consumption and costs and meet their sustainability requirements through our Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship programme. Energy managers can come from all types of companies and industries, including hospitality, leisure, retail, banking, manufacturing, construction, and property. As I have already mentioned, energy management is going to become even more crucial for businesses and having somebody trained in-house will be a huge advantage to the consultancy market. Meanwhile new and existing employees or apprentices are given the opportunity to develop life-long skills and gain valuable, hands-on workplace experience whilst earning a wage.

During the course, the apprentice will learn a range of energy management skills which can benefit organisations and lead to long term savings, including:

  • How energy flows in and out of buildings, equipment and processes and how key energy systems operate

  • The economics of energy consumption, supply and demand of energy, sustainability issues and role of the organisation in tackling them

  • Relevant level of theory and practices that underpin the energy efficient use of equipment, processes, and IT systems

  • How to read meters and sub-meters, collect, record and analyse metered data and interpret the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance requirements

  • How to conduct an audit and write up findings to demonstrate any non-conformance concerns

Group Horizon has a proven track record of developing new and innovative provision in a range of subject areas. Our specialist assessors bring a wealth of experience in their chosen fields and invest heavily in research and curriculum development to ensure that all our programmes are delivered up to date and relevant to the job market and the needs of employers. With the Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship, you will ensure your company stays in firm control of its energy consumption while creating a greener future for the UK.

For more information please visit: www.grouphorizon.co.uk