Construction firms are being urged to give their views in a consultation on the Green Deal to ensure they can get to grips with and shape the qualifications and standards that will be required of installers.

The call came from CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council, and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) after the consultation called PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 2030, proposed for the first time the specific skills, qualifications and other requirements that construction firms and installers will need to take advantage of the opportunities that will emerge when the Green Deal is rolled out in October 2012.

For the first time, proposals on the level of qualifications that installers will need have been provided –for all disciplines associated with retrofitting energy-saving technology including: heating, wall, pipe, roof and loft insulation, draft proofing, double glazing, micro-generation and photovoltaics. It also specifies records of work installers will need to keep, and documents they will have to present to the householder.

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The PAS 2030 specification was formulated by a working group including CITB-ConstructionSkills, The FMB, trade associations from the building, energy, construction and manufacturing sectors, business and consumers.

Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, Mark Farrar said: "With the Green Deal on the horizon, it is important that firms who want to stay one step ahead of the game take part in this consultation. All installers will have to be certified to PAS 2030 standards and without the required accreditations, they may lose out on business come next October. But, the accreditation has to be realistic and that's why it's so important to make sure all firms are consulted properly.

"Although our industry is still battling with the impact of the recession, and growth is at an all time low – we know that demand for low carbon construction and associated knowledge and skills is only set to grow, with the 'Green Deal' alone potentially creating up to 100,000 jobs, and providing loans to up to 14 million homes in the UK in order to retrofit better insulation and air-tightness technologies. So, if small businesses are to take advantage of new opportunities, we need to act now."

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders said: "The PAS 2030, setting the standards for Green Deal installers, is an important consultation for everyone in the building industry. It will impact on the future delivery of retrofit work so it is crucial that businesses take the time to look at it and offer comments before it is set in stone. The Green Deal has the potential to transform how we manage and value our properties and hopefully will create much needed jobs in the building industry. We know that the market for retrofit work is worth at least £3.5 billion every year which can only be good news for building companies struggling in the current economic climate."

(CD)