CareerProgression.co.uk

Green Careers & Renewable Energy Courses In The UK

How would you like to get into an industry that is both cutting-edge and future-proof? Qualifying as an installer with 'green' certifications will allow you to do that. Certifications can take less time than you might think - within the next twelve months your job could be helping to offset the effects of global warming. Gas and oil consumption can't go on as it is. Carbon emissions will have to be reduced. Western leaders are keen to encourage citizens to strive for greener alternatives to the more traditional methods.

People in Britain can often get substantial government subsidies to cover such things as wall or loft insulation and solar generated hot water. This is both beneficial for the environment, and for the appropriately qualified tradesmen and women who can carry out the work.

So be sure to get details of the 'green' elements in any plumber or electrician training course you're considering. If you're already in the trade, you can tune-up your knowledge and add to your current offering.

Read Our FREE Report

We've compiled a Training Information E-Book on plumbing, electrical and green skills - it's yours for free and should answer most of your questions.

'Green' Energy Solutions

Planet earth provides us with a rich source of renewables from which to extract more energy for our own use.

By harnessing the energy from the sun, the wind or the tides we can create alternative sources of power. Windmills and waterwheels have been around for a long time, but modern technology can now take advantage of solar power and geo-thermal energy to power homes and businesses. Trades people with green credentials can capitalise on this.

Energy From The Sun

Solar water heating collectors absorb energy from the sun and convert it into hot water. The technology has been around for over 30 years, and now many sophisticated systems are available. They can't provide for all the hot water needs for families in the UK, but in summer they can supply a significant amount of it. This lessens their impact on the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by something like 400 to 750 kg a year. Collection equipment comes in the form of the more efficient evacuated tubes, or the perhaps more visually attractive solid flat plates. Installation is quite straightforward - in fact some of the tubular versions can be built whilst actually on the roof.

To generate electricity, photovoltaic solar panels are used to capture the sun's energy. Again, PV panels are designed to be attached to a roof or wall that is preferably south facing. As sunlight shines onto the panels an electric field is created that goes to an inverter inside the roof. The 'green electricity' that is created is then connected to the consumer unit within the property.

Householders can expect a photovoltaic system to provide around 40 per cent of their annual electricity, and so reduce both their bills and carbon footprint significantly. The Grid will also automatically be fed any unused PV electricity, so if householders go away for two weeks, their solar power won't be wasted. The amount energy suppliers pay for solar electricity has been increased two and three fold in the UK due to government legislation in early 2010.

Clearly the latitude of the property will impact how much energy is generated. So will the direction the panels are facing, the overall size of the PV array and any obstructions which block the light.

Geothermal Heat

Ground source heat (which in Britain remains fairly constant at twelve degrees centigrade) can be used to create electricity and warm water. Heat pumps are connected to great lengths of underground geothermal piping that contains a non freezable substance. The solution flows through the pipes and collects heat which is taken to the heat pump. Warm air or water is then pumped around a home to supplement existing heating systems. Householders will experience lower fuel bills if they install a ground source heat pump. Also, if they're replacing an oil boiler, they could produce 540kg of CO2 less a year.

Training For A 'Green' Career

Typical training will give you a greater understanding of renewable energy and the careers you can pursue. Naturally you'll be taught the necessary electrical skills, and the basics of domestic plumbing. You'll also look into the various energy efficient systems - how they work and how to install them. Make sure you come out with a good knowledge of ground and air source heat pumps, and domestic solar technology. That's where a lot of your future work is likely to be.

Essentially, courses are there to equip you for work - so all parts of your training should lead to industry recognised qualifications. You might be offered optional tutorials, for instance on rainwater harvesting to recycle water.

Working With Future Trends...

So that buyers can determine future energy costs, every UK homeowner must get an Energy Performance Certificate before putting their house on the market. This documentation includes advice on how to make the place more energy efficient. Savings in some cases can run into thousands of pounds a year. What's more, when householders employ properly accredited installers, they can benefit from generous government grants to help cover the costs of having new systems fitted.

That's merely the beginning though. By the year 2016, the law states that all new houses will have to produce a minimum of 15 per cent of their energy from replenishable supplies. It will soon be socially, ethically and financially unacceptable to ignore renewable energy - and those with the right skills will find themselves in great demand.