The importance of competency schemes for built environment professionals

Jason Hewins, OCDEA Team Leader

The construction industry is changing and as buildings become more efficient and complex it is increasingly important to take advice from specialists with proven competence.

Having been active within the built environment for 27 years, Elmhurst believes that as the regulations change and become more stringent, building owners and developers will seek the services of competent professionals who can assure and measure the quality of their buildings, as well as their buildings’ elements. For this reason, Elmhurst has been developing a range of competency based training and schemes which complement the energy calculation services that members already provide.

Stuart Fairlie, Technical and Operations Director at Elmhurst comments:

“Our competency schemes have been developed in order to prepare our members for the future. With the government keen to make homes more energy efficient and reduce fuel poverty, there will be more demand for professionals who can assure the quality of buildings through value added services.

All of Elmhurst’s competency schemes are fully supported by our technical teams and provide access to our dedicated members’ area which houses online software and reporting tools.”

Some of our most popular competency schemes

Psi-Value

The Psi-Value competency training course and scheme is popular amongst new build assessors, as they can use what they learn on the course to calculate their own Psi-Values, giving them greater flexibility when achieving compliance with regulations (something that will become increasingly sought after as they become more stringent). At the beginning of the year, our Psi-Value training course was split into two, so members now have the option to model junctions in 2D and/or 3D, depending on the level of service they want to provide. Legionella Risk Assessment

Elmhurst’s Legionella Risk Assessment scheme remains one of Elmhurst’s oldest competency schemes, having been introduced back in 2015. Those who have undertaken Elmhurst’s training will have the relevant knowledge to assess the risk of legionella bacteria within domestic water systems. Surveyors and Energy Assessors will typically add this service on to their existing domestic EPC and home survey services. Elmhurst’s Legionella scheme comes with the added benefit of mobile software for professionals to use while on site, as well as free pay-perclick insurance.