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Application Process and Accreditation

The process for applying is:

Step 1: Complete the Application Form (click for a copy) for Approved Prior Experiential and Learning (APEL) for Commercial Energy Assessor Level 3 Buildings, ensuring you provide:

  •             Your existing Elmhurst Surveyor ID Number (if applicable)
  •             Evidence of all relevant previous experience and training
  •             Evidence of adequate levels of Professional Indemnity Insurance
  •             Evidence of membership of a relevant professional body (if applicable)
  •             Payment of appropriate application fee
  •             Sign and date declaration

Step 2: Following receipt of your application you will be contacted by our team to confirm the level of assessments you will be required to complete. Candidates that are deemed insufficiently experienced to apply via the APEL route, will be informed and advised as to more appropriate options. 

Step 3: Attend the necessary modules of training

Step 4: Complete your assigned assessment(s) and sit required exams as applicable.

Step 5: Upon successfully completing the steps above you will be informed of your new Elmhurst EPC Accreditation membership number and your details will be lodged with the relevant Government register. You will then be licensed to produce EPCs.

 

 

 

Non Dwellings (Commercial) Accreditation Scheme

The Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme for commercial buildings enables members to produce Government endorsed EPCs using  approved SBEM software. The Elmhurst Scheme will support the use of all SBEM software systems that produce the standard export files, however initially and throughout your training period we will utilise freely available iSBEM software. Click here to download -your free copy of iSBEM -, and – manuals -.

All EPCs need to be produced by accredited (licensed) CEA Assessors and lodged with the Government’s central database in order to be legally valid. The key functions of the Scheme are to ensure all members:

  • Are sufficiently trained, qualified and or experienced in Commercial Buildings energy rating
  • Have thorough knowledge and understanding of all relevant building regulations and technical standards
  • Are appropriately insured
  • Abide by code of professional conduct
  • Are subject to ongoing independent quality assurance
  • Have access to an independent complaints resolution service

 

Insurance

Elmhurst Energy will not be providing Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance as part of this Commercial Energy Assessor Accreditation Scheme.  You will be required to provide evidence (copies of valid certificates of insurance) that shows suitable cover is in place in accordance with the levels of work you will be carrying out.  Elmhurst Energy is recommending a minimum of £1,000,000 Professional Indemnity cover, but ultimately it is the duty of each CEA assessor to ensure that they carry the appropriate levels of cover depending on the volume and value of work to be undertaken.

 

Accreditation Scheme Code of Conduct

All members of the Elmhurst EPC accreditation scheme will be subject to strict codes of conduct and quality assurance monitoring covering the members EPC production and professional conduct relating to all activities within the scope of the scheme. Members found to be in breach of the code or who fail to meet the required technical standards will be subject to disciplinary action which ultimately can lead to removal from the scheme. 

Download and view the -EES Code of Conduct-

 

 

FAQs

 

If I am already qualified as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), why can I not join this APEL route to produce SBEM EPCs on commercial property?   

In the very near future we also expect to be able to offer this course to experienced qualified Domestic Energy Assessors, Home Inspectors and residential surveyors, but it will be necessary for applicants to demonstrate a high level of approved experiential learning and experience before gaining admission to the course.  Elmhurst is currently awaiting confirmation from the CLG on the level of experience and training required. Please be aware that we are championing this avenue for experienced DEAs/HIs and are very close to this agreement with CLG.

I have been a user of the Elmhurst Design SAP Software for some time, and I would like to produce EPCs for commercial buildings, how do I go about it?

The Government are very clear that the APEL route is only available to those who have two years of experience in commercial buildings. All others they will have to obtain the Level 3, 4 or 5 qualification. Due to timescales Elmhurst is concentrating on the APEL route, but in the future may run courses through to a qualification.

I am not a member of a professional body and realise that I need to show a level of knowledge and understanding against the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for soft skills – why do I need to do this?

Although you are very likely to have all the skills necessary on soft skills such as health and safety and client relationships in your present or previous positions; all persons who obtain a licence through the APEL route must prove and demonstrate that they do meet the required standards. Elmhurst has produced a comprehensive distance learning module which is easy to understand and covers all the required knowledge and understanding, by undertaking the assessment questions in this module, you will clearly show to Government that you are of the correct standard required.

What is this relevance of the National Occupational Standards (NOS)?

The Government use independent bodies called Sector Skills Councils, and in the case of the construction industry, one called Asset Skills, to write the NOS for energy rating buildings. The NOS define the level of skills, knowledge and understanding required to be able to competently undertake a particular job. This forms the standard by which individuals will be judged in regards to competence by the Accreditation Scheme or when completing a formal qualification.

Elmhurst has been granted the ability to use the Approved Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) to ensure existing skilled persons can become licensed to produce EPCs without having to undertake a formal qualification. Basically Elmhurst will map your existing skills against the framework (NOS) and allow you to fill in the missing blanks to complete a full set of necessary skills.

I have previously trained on SBEM with the BRE, do I have to undertake more SBEM training?

This is not straight forward and ultimately depends on what SBEM experience you have and when it was undertaken. We recommend that all persons who have previously undertaken SBEM training to individually contact us to clarify how this may affect your individual training requirements.

Does Elmhurst offer any business opportunities at the end of the course?

Elmhurst are experts in training and providing software solutions to persons and organisations. Although we will not be providing or guaranteeing work or contacts, we will help to direct our members to opportunities where they exist via our website and newsletters. We strongly suggest that assessors do there own marketing and understand their business opportunities.

If I undertake the training, am I able to produce EPCs for all commercial buildings?

The simple answer is no. The Level 3 course that we are launching will cover approximately 60—65% of the commercial building stock, you will not be able to assess new buildings or more complex buildings that fall outside the Level 3 description (see application form for definitions). Therefore, once you begin to practice as a CEA , you must work closely with your clients to ensure that their buildings fall within your skills category. This will avoid wasted site inspections and client frustration.  In the future, as your experience expands, possibilities of attending top up training to Level 4 will be made available for those that meet set criteria.