We are still receiving calls on a fairly regular basis from individuals who are considering embarking on a training course which will enable them to set themselves up as self employed Commercial Energy Assessors so that they can prepare commercial EPC's and from people who have already completed a course and are now looking for a job.
Unfortunately, it seems that some training bodies are still advertising their courses as a gateway to a lucrative career. I prefer taking calls from those who have not yet enrolled for their course, because I don't have to inform them that we currently have no vacancies and I am able to advise them, in broad terms that the commercial energy assessment market is saturated; that prices for commercial EPC's have fallen substantially from their peak; that the legislation is not yet being enforced uniformly across the country and that unless they have very good existing contacts in the commercial property industry they are going to have to think very carefully about how they will find work if they plan to be self employed.
In my opinion, it is likely that quite a number of Commercial Energy Assessors will drop out of the industry over the course of the next year. If the economy continues to improve; if and when the Government make it a requirement for commercial EPC's to be included in agent's marketing particulars and if and when enforcement becomes more uniform, then perhaps things will become a little easier for us remaining Commercial Energy Assessors.
However, those interested in a career as a Commercial Energy Assessor should be aware that it is not an easy option. Preparing commercial EPC's can be very time consuming and require good technical ability. The Commercial Energy Assessor constantly has to think “if this commercial EPC is audited, will it pass?”. I would suggest that there are many easier ways to make a living!