Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship Standard and End Point Assessment
The EMA has worked with a number of employers and trade bodies on developing the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard for a Junior Energy Manager. The EMA provides the End Point Assessment for the Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship standard.
Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship Standard
The UK will be one of the most competitive market places for energy managers’ skills in the next 5-7 years, as British businesses start to see the rise in the cost of energy as a priority. Many companies in the UK either have no energy managers in place or have outsourced energy management skillsets, and therefore have reduced ability to manage their own energy consumption. In-house skills in energy management will lead to long term savings for companies. There is a major shortage of trained energy managers and this apprenticeship will help to address the need for basic in-house energy management skills which can benefit many organisations.
Energy Managers often work in fields such as facilities management, property or sustainability. Such broad fields offer a specialised skillsets in a wide range of vocations.
Junior Energy Managers perform an essential role in supporting their company or organisation in meeting energy reduction objectives and targets within the context of wider sustainability commitments such as carbon and water management and corporate social responsibility. They need to be technically aware, numerate, have good communication skills both with senior management and energy end-users – and to be keen to broaden and continually improve their existing knowledge of energy management core topics.
Energy management is itself a specialist profession and increasingly, at a senior level, energy managers undertake a key strategic role in the influencing of senior management and setting the energy policy for organisation.
Employers will set the entry requirements for their apprenticeships but apprenticeship candidates will normally have a minimum of 3 GCSEs at grades A* to C (including mathematics, English), or equivalent qualifications such as: IGCSEs, Scottish Standard Grade, 14-19 Diploma, BTEC/NVQs. Apprentices without English or Maths GCSE at grade A* to C or equivalent must achieve this prior to the completion of the Apprenticeship.
It is anticipated that the Apprenticeship will typically last a minimum of 24 months but this may be extended if required.
The Apprenticeship is graded at Pass and Distinction. In achieving the Pass in this Apprenticeship, the successful Apprentice will be eligible to apply for relevant membership of energy management related bodies such as:
- Energy Managers Association (EMA) Recognised Energy Manager
- Technician Member status of the Energy Institute
- Relevant level of theory and practices at Junior Energy Manager level that underpins how energy flows in an out of buildings, equipment and processes and how key energy systems operate
- Relevant level of theory and practices that underpin the energy efficient use of equipment, processes and IT systems
- Energy performance, water measurement and verification of measured data
- Understanding of the economics of energy consumption, supply and demand of energy, sustainability issues and role of the organisation in tackling them
- Understanding the principles of industry regulations, and environmental and regulatory requirements, and EU directives relevant to energy and climate change within the context of the Junior Energy Manager’s workplace
- Testing and maintaining procedures of equipment and processes used to determine energy performance and how inefficiencies arise and how to improve energy performance
- Know how to read meters and collect, record and analyse metered data
- Know how to read meters, sub-meters and interpret meter manufacturer’s installation and maintenance requirements.
- Know how to bill, set an energy baseline and identify variables that affect energy consumption in organisations
- Know relevant initiatives/policies associated with transport, travel planning and logistics operational system within the context of the Junior Energy Manager’s workplace
- Understanding the impact of transport and logistics on climate change if relevant to the Junior Energy Manager’s workplace
- Understand the importance of water management to the business’ utility costs and carbon emissions
- Understand and continually improve an energy management contribution to strategic planning based on energy, carbon and water and key performance indicators for measuring and verifying success
- Complete template reports and ensure records are maintained for audit and reporting purposes
- Relate the workings of plant, processes and equipment to energy consumption
- Identify and explain variables that vary the energy consumption of a building and process (Building operation: summer/winter; day/night, etc.)
- Identify and explain suitable and measurable energy performance indicators (energy use, consumption, efficiency)
- Implement and/or maintain metering and measurement plans and undertake basic analysis of the outputs
- Carry out basic checks on bills and other recorded data to verify accuracy and repeatability
- Contribute to all aspects of the energy and water use audits and conduct energy and water assessment and/or audit and identify products’, system’s and processes’ solutions that reduce energy and water consumption
- Contribute to the organisation’s procurement process/products/services
- Assist with the gathering of energy performance data and administration and implementation of energy awareness and motivation programmes and their associated communication strategies for reduced energy use
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks as instructed, with consideration for efficiency, cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact
- Carry out basic financial calculations relating to energy costs and savings
- Work effectively and safely when undertaking tasks to approved standards and safe working practices as part of a team, working alone or with appropriate supervision
- Use a variety of appropriate communication methods to interact with others to give/receive information accurately, in a timely, positive and professional manner
- Communicate effectively using evidence-based reporting, communication and presentation skills
- Target and goal oriented
- Forward thinking and proactive
- Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated approach whilst recognising personal limitations and seeking advice from fact holders and specialists when required
- Deliver a supportive professional service to external and internal customers
- Focus on undertaking and completing work in a way that contributes to sustainable development
- Comply responsibly with current and relevant industry standards and regulations
- Be quality and efficiency focussed, and professional in work and in personal standards
- Be aware of the needs and concerns of others, especially where related to diversity and equality
- Carry out and record Continuing Professional Development necessary to maintain and enhance competence
- Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner
Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship End Point Assessment
There are three aspects to End-point Assessment in the Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship End-point Assessment. The End Point Assessment covers all of the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship Standard.
- Knowledge Test –The Apprentice’s will complete a structured series of multiple-choice questions to check their knowledge of the Standard. The knowledge test could be undertaken in class or online, is time restricted to 90 minutes and must be completed once the Apprentice has passed Gateway. A successful completion of the Knowledge Test will enable the apprentice to proceed onto the Practical Task.
- Practical Assessment - Energy Audit and Report - represents and demonstrates the application of knowledge, skills and behaviours. It should be conducted in the Apprentice’s normal work set up and the Employer should make allowance, in terms of time and resource, for the practical task to be undertaken.
- Professional Conversation / Interview - The Apprentice will discuss the outcomes of the Practical Assessment and demonstrate:
- What they set out to achieve
- What they have produced in the report
- How they approached the practical task, identified opportunities and dealt with any issues
A set of competency-based questions will also enable the apprentice to draw on their experiences throughout their apprenticeship.
It you are interested in using the EMA to assess your Junior Energy Manager apprentices, please email [email protected]
To find out more about the Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship please contact the EMA.
