National Construction College acts to combat solar cowboys

The National Construction College (NCC) has developed a training course and national vocation qualification (NVQ) for solar panel installation.

Last year the National House Building Council blamed the rise in leaking roofs on the boom in solar panels and had to issue industry guidance on how they should be installed.

The NCC said that the NVQ would give roofers proof of competence to reassure customers. The solar panel installation course takes just one day and is aimed at experienced Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card carrying roofers who would like to obtain these skills or wish to meet industry accreditation standards. For those who need to complete a competency based qualification in order to apply for a CSCS card, a further half day course is available to include an NVQ qualification.

The solar panel installation course covers all aspects of installation for different types of roof structure or configuration, and comprise of classroom based theory, practical skills training and an exam prior to certification. The NVQ element will be will be delivered in a half day workshop, on site observation and site diary.

NCC director Andy Walder said: “With the Green Deal coming into effect in October installers will need to be able to provide proof of formal competence in their area of expertise to take advantage of these opportunities and this can be achieved by undertaking our new solar panel installation programme. “

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