Pipe up: training is key

“New training initiatives are needed now in order to meet the government’s smart metering deadline.”

As the 2020 deadline approaches, the number of smart meter installers in the UK will need to at least double, but where will all these new engineers come from?

From a consumer’s point of view, the launch of smart meters is good news because they can better understand how they are using electricity within their homes, enabling areas of potential savings to be identified. But what if the industry simply isn’t able to provide the workforce to meet the government’s deadline?

As UK employers desperately continue to seek capable operatives, it is becoming clear that they will have to roll out new training initiatives to bring in the talent. Unfortunately, however, the cost for this is likely to be passed on to consumers through price rises. So what can be done to avoid this from happening?

One solution is to upskill the current workforce, where this is appropriate. For example, those with experience in gas and electric meter installations or a gas industry background can be trained to take on broader responsibilities. Another option is to train people from other professions with transferable skills. Often, those from more customer-facing backgrounds come with the crucial soft skills that employers and customers appreciate and which are essential when dealing with householders. Technical training can complement these with the skilled knowledge required to work in the field.

With the media spotlight about to shine heavily on the industry as a whole, employers simply cannot afford to get this wrong. With all engineers essentially being the face of any organisation, it is vital to deliver only the very best in customer service and technical competence. This is why good quality training with ongoing support in the field is essential, coupled with the need to train good mentors and quality assurance engineers to assist with the on-the-job training aspect.

Whichever route companies decide to take, a commitment is required on the part of all employers to provide appropriately tailored training programmes and the financial rewards to match. Otherwise, we simply won’t be able to attract the talent needed.

As each month passes, the required pace to install smart metering technology in homes and small business quickens. Suppliers need to put smart meter training strategies in place now to safely prepare for the future.

Chris Wood, chief executive, Develop Training