Jobs drive for energy company

Oct 21 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A GLOBAL renewable energy firm is launching a recruitment drive on Teesside for specialist tradesmen.

Stiebel Eltron’s North-east regional specification manager, Stuart Galloway, said the firm was ramping up its activity locally, targeting heating engineers, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and heating and ventilation specialists. It plans to offer accreditation for installers working under Government schemes - including the Microgeneration Certification Scheme - which have been heavily criticised both in terms of cost and administration.

Founded in Germany, Stiebel employs 3,000 staff worldwide with a turnover of £400m. In the UK, investment in renewable energy products was leading to extra demand for skills training, it said.

“We can offer installers training in these products. Moreover through our training we can help installers become accredited for Government grants schemes. Ordinarily this is very expensive and difficult but we can make it much more straightforward and we can slash costs. Skills training on a wide range of renewable energy products will be extremely valuable in the future as demand for going green greatly increases,” said Mr Galloway.