IAA (the Installation Assurance Authority) has confirmed its commitment to a new National Energy Efficiency Centre (NEEC) by signing a lease for a new 17,000 square foot premises at Union Park in Leighton Buzzard.
It says the NEEC will be critical in helping to address the significant domestic and non-domestic retrofit skills shortage. It will provide 17,000 square foot of purpose-built training space aimed at delivering a range of professional and practical skills across the building fabric, renewable energy and low carbon heating sector.
Nigel Donohue, CEO of The IAA said: “I’m delighted to make this announcement, which follows on from the commitment I made at our Annual Conference in October 2023. The NEEC will help to address the significant skills shortage our industry faces as we strive to deliver the Net Zero retrofit agenda. It will be focussed upon upskilling the existing workforce, providing training for new entrants, those looking for a career transfer and importantly supporting Schools and Colleges with the development and delivery of content mapped to The IAA’s recently consulted upon Career Pathways work.
“We have already secured some key headline sponsors and, as it presents a great opportunity to showcase products we are also engaging with manufacturers, systems designers and the wider industry to actively support and sponsor the delivery of training at the new centre. The NEEC will fully open in July 2024 following a period of fit out and development and we are currently looking to recruit a number of new roles to support the new centre’s evolution and growth, including a new Head of the NEEC.”
