Chimney Skills Training Launches New Solid Fuel and Biomass NVQs for Chimney Sweeps and Installers

Chimney Skills Training, the UK’s leading specialist CITB authorised training organisation for the chimney sweeps and solid fuel installers, in association with CITB, has launched the UK’s first level three vocational qualification in the Chimney Occupations sector.

This new qualification will help the sector to meet the future demands placed upon those tasked with the design, inspection, installation, service and maintenance of dry solid fuel and biomass heating systems.

This new level 3 NVQ has been developed in partnership with the National Occupational

Standards Working Group (NOS-NWG) which includes representatives from BFCMA, SIA, OFTEC and most of the industry’s trade associations along with many active tradespeople from across the four home nations. Further to this, two existing level 2 NVQ’s have been amended and updated to bring them into line with the current and future skills that chimney sweeps and solid fuel installers will need to demonstrate. These three new qualifications are now listed and regulated by OFQUAL and learner registrations are now being taken.

Andy Hill, chair of the Stove Industry Association, said: “This suite of qualifications is critical to meet the UK’s future skills needs in solid fuel and biomass domestic heating as a low environmental impact domestic heat source. It offers independence and confidence to the industry and the public in the promotion of solid fuel and biomass heating as a viable low carbon, cost effective and fuel secure

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Ph. +44 1 353 698800 www.henleystoves.co.uk way to heat one’s home. The innovative switch to formal qualification will support the Competent Persons Scheme Operators such as HETAS and OFTEC, and further the skill and knowledge levels of installation, and service and maintenance to the sector saving consumers time and money as well as enhancing fuel efficiency whilst lowering emissions.”

The industry’s identified need for qualified tradespeople to install, service and maintain solid fuel and biomass domestic heating systems lays at the core of the development of this suite of NOS and NVQ’s. The stronger emphasis on clean air, and the innovations in technology to meet this, highlights a real need to upskill the sector in terms of training and qualifications.

Chris Geeves Director of Chimney Skills Training “We have had many of the UK’s leading manufacturers, supply chain companies, stakeholders, trade associations, competent person schemes and practitioners involved in the development of this suite of National Occupational Standards and qualifications to ensure they meet the business needs, environmental and regulatory requirements whilst remaining highly relevant to the installer and chimney sweep trades.

This new suite of NVQ qualifications marks a milestone to the wider sector and not just the big players. The new vocational qualifications have been designed for anybody involved in the inspection. design installation, sweeping, service and maintenance of solid fuel or biomass domestic heating systems”.

Figures from the Stove Industry Association show that just under 200k solid fuel stoves were sold during 2022, a 43% increase on the previous year and the need for qualified installers and chimney sweeps to service and maintain them is becoming even more pressing. The number of homes using solid fuel or biomass as either their main or secondary heating source is estimated at 1.9 million and all will need regular sweeping, service, and maintenance.

Sean Hayes, GQA Qualifications’ Operations Manager said: “A skills gap was identified around solid fuel and biomass inspection, installation, sweeping servicing and maintenance with the need for dedicated qualifications to support the Chimney Occupation trades as regulation, environmental issues and technological changes in products becomes ever greater within the sector.

We’ve worked together with CITB, and the industry represented National Occupational Standards (NOS) National Working Group in partnership to help develop the new, OFQUAL Regulated, NVQ qualifications so that they meet the needs of the chimney occupational trades, the wider industry, and its stakeholders.” www. chimneyskillstraining.co.uk

Chimney Skills Training continues to strive to support chimney sweeps, installers, manufacturers, and the wider sector in developing solutionbased problem-solving initiatives in the delivery of qualifications, training and in the development of partnership with the UK’s solid fuel and biomass domestic heating industry.