Darwen firm launches training to plug skills gap (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen firm launches training to plug skills gap

1:44pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

DARWEN-based Bglobal has launched a training academy for smart meter engineers According to the company, which employs 150 people in Commercial Road, there is an urgent requirement for an estimated 10,000 skilled workers in the smart meter field to meet the Government’s plans for a national roll out of smart meters by 2019.

The Nutech training and professional qualifications will be delivered in partnership with Oldham College, which will act as the official qualifying body for the diploma.

Tim Jackson-Smith, chief executive of Bglobal, said: “At present there is a serious shortage of trained smart meter engineers in the local area.

“This academy has been set up to plug the energy skills gap, providing people with a highly sought-after service to help them find work.

“In addition to school leavers, Nutech provides an ideal opportunity for electricians and plumbers to learn an extra skill and create an additional revenue stream.”