The government's smart meter roll-out has hit a problem.
A lack of investment in training and a breakdown in communication has resulted in a huge shortage of smart meter engineers.
This year has seen the start of the Government’s initiative to ensure the UK becomes more energy efficient.
The goal is to fit 53 million smart meters, which monitor both gas and electricity usage, in over 30 million homes and businesses in the UK by 2020.
To meet these goals around 11,000 qualified engineers are needed to fit the meters but a significant skills gap in the sector has resulted in a shortfall.
There are an estimated 6,500 smart meter engineer jobs still available.
Part of the reason is that Smart Meters can only be fitted with permission from the energy firms. In general, only larger companies are employing and training smart engineers.
This has come as something of a surprise to the industry as becoming a smart meter engineer has few pre-requisites and no previous experience is required to take the training.
Back to Insights
Insights | 11th August 2016
Smart Meter roll-out hit by a shortage of engineers
Insights | 11th September 2024
The gas industry by numbers – why gas safety is so important
Read more
Insights | 10th September 2024