Staff from Guernsey Electricity who completed a City & Guilds qualification for renewable energy in the home.

Nine members of staff from Guernsey Electricity are celebrating after completing a City & Guilds qualification for renewable energy in the home.

Guernsey Electricity is the first organisation in Guernsey to have completed the training.

Patrick Breton, Neil Mahy, Michel Preece, Vince Smith, Daniel Troalic, Stuart Tucker, Steve Walden, James William-Yeager and Robert Yeates all finished and successfully passed the two-day course.

The qualification, which is organised by National Energy Action (NEA) in the UK, is designed to increase the knowledge and understanding of energy advisers on renewable and low carbon technologies as solutions to reduce fuel poverty.

The course offers an overview of the renewable energy options available, how systems work and the issues and deterrents associated with installation in the home.

Commercial contracting manager Vince Smith, who completed the programme, said: “Guernsey Electricity is committed to investing in staff to develop professionally and we are confident that having completed this qualification we will improve the services we provide to customers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

“The course has given staff additional knowledge when advising on the merits of particular technologies and we hope that it will aid advisers helping customers select the most appropriate renewable energy system for their home.”

The qualification, which is accredited by City & Guild, is recognised in the energy industry by businesses and the UK government. It was introduced in 2009 and, to date, 610 candidates within the UK have completed the course.