Hi, i am considering a new career as a domestic energy assessor, however i have a few reservations before i take the plunge. My previous experience has been as a nurse and latterly as an assistant at a special needs school and i am a little concerned about the geeky and scientific aspect of the course, will i be able to cope? My only advantage is that i have helped to project manage 3 self build properties with my husband. My other problem is choosing a training provider, there are various training providers ranging from £1400.00 to £4500.00 for a 8-10 day course, all of which seem to follow the VRQ Lvl 3 syllabus. Finally given the public reaction to HIP and all certificates that comprise said pack i am a little sceptical about future employment Vs my investment. Personnaly i think this is a step forward for both buyers and sellers if the concept is implemented correctly. So to my questions, can anyone reccomend a training provider, allay my fears over future employment and advise me on courses content.

Ta

Eko shack

I am considering coming out of retirement to work as a DEA. Courses are still available but I wonder how things have moved on since the last postings. Is there plenty of work for those already qualified? I live in a rural area. The population is approx 350,000 within a 30 mile radius. If I did 5 per week on average in the first year how quickly would i recoup my training course expenses? I have done plumbing, roof insulation, fitted double glazing, done rewiring etc on my own house so the job should suit me. Any comments will be welcome. Thanks.

Big problem at the moment - is that if you are planning to do hips work there are 6000 people already qualified and 10,000 will be when they have finished training. The number of full time assessors required to cover the 1,500,000 million EPCs per year was circa 3,500. However if your not planning to give up the day job then it might work out. However many amany assessors have not seen any work at all since August 1st when they came in for 4 beds. Correspondingly fees are now down from the expected £100 a visit to £50 a visit, with some people takng work as low as £30. I worked my costs out at £35 a visit - so either they haven't run a business , or are so desparate for work, they'll worry about VAT and income tax later!?

If you want to know more about it look at www.homeinspectorforum.co.uk

My advice would be - stick to BRE. NHER, Northgate, ECMK for training. They've been in the energy rating business for a few years and aren't new startups cashing in on the latest gold rush. However they are all selling picks and shovels - aka training.

Whether to do it is a personal choice based on your financial position. If you can afford to spend a few thousand and not worry if you don't get it back then it might be of interest. If you have to borrow to fund it then don't. Many panels have now closed to new applicants, and the market for independents is looking less and less attractive.

It's not the geekyness you need to worry about. It's daily mail readers who've been primed to believe your there to case the joint for cash and valuables, and that your some sort of government snooper looking to spot unapproved extensions, and tax them on it.

Simon.

with the proposed growth in microgeneration technology you might be better off looking into that rather than dea. not to install but act as a consultant and independent sales agent. surveying gets very boring rather quickly too. how about doing an msc at cat ?