Community Energy Specialist

“Community energy” is an all-encompassing term for people coming to together to reduce energy use and purchase, manage and generate low carbon heat and power. Community energy projects are often delivered collectively, with a focus on engagement, local leadership and strong positive local community outcomes. There are now around 5000 of these community groups UK-wide which often have distinct, specific localised goals with an overarching benefit of tackling climate change, energy security and the affordability of energy.

A Community Energy Specialist works in a range of different organisations including community energy enterprises, local authorities, housing associations, grid network operators, and commercial energy companies, with all Community Energy Specialists employing the following disciplines within a community energy organisation context:

Identifying appropriate renewable energy and energy efficient technologies for specific buildings, sites and customers, working with local communities and site owners;

Working with low income/vulnerable households to advise on low/no cost measures and behaviour changes that can save energy and cost;

Modelling the financial feasibility of projects, identifying the level of funding required and potential sources appropriate for community energy e.g. community shares/bonds, social loans, state aid compliant grant funding;

Leading a team of volunteer directors to secure funding for the project, overseeing an effective marketing plan to ensure sufficient funds are raised;

Organising a tender for installation work, liaising with successful contractors and community members to create a project plan compliant with co-operative principles;

Ensuring that all necessary sector-specific legal agreements and contracts are in place between the community energy organisation, site owners, installers, and relevant authorities prior to project commencement;

Using sector-specific expertise to monitor the ongoing functioning of the project, managing maintenance, the financial performance of their organisation and compliance with e.g. FCA requirements, and investor returns and community benefit pot if applicable;

Proactively engaging in community and youth education around community energy, g. assemblies/lessons in schools, presentations at youth organisations and community centres;

Assisting in delivery of collective energy purchasing initiatives;

Assessing the social impact of each project and potential for community

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Customers

Impact Academy has recently launched our online learning platform. We can put together a bespoke package of learning, whether that be further development or skill specific courses to meet your individual requirements for upskilling in your current role, or for future progression through to managing a comprehensive induction programme that can be tailored to your organisational requirements. All learning is completed online with access to online tutors and discussion boards to support the learning journey.

"I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the opportunity to be a part of your apprenticeship program. The program provided me with the chance to learn and grow in a supportive and challenging environment. The combination of classroom learning and real-world projects allowed me to apply what I learned immediately."

Laura

Apprentice

"It was a transformative experience for me. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by the entire staff. The program was well-structured and provided a seamless transition into the professional world. The opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals allowed me to gain practical skills and insights that simply cannot be taught in a classroom setting."

Greg

Apprentice

"Enrolling in your apprenticeship program was one of the best decisions I've made for my career. The hands-on experience and mentorship provided by your team were invaluable. Not only did I learn practical skills that are directly applicable to my field, but I also gained confidence in my abilities."

James

Apprentice

"As an ‘older’ learner, I was a little unsure that this would be the right learning path for me. However it was encouraging to see a diverse range of learners on my programme from a variety of background. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by the Impact team. The course has been well-structured to date, and is very relevant to my day job, which makes logging the OFT hours simple. I would recommend Apprenticeships to anybody who is looking to develop their skills without additional full time education. We are already seeing the benefits from the first 3 modules."

Ewan

Apprentice

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA. The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 15 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.

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"I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the opportunity to be a part of your apprenticeship program. The program provided me with the chance to learn and grow in a supportive and challenging environment. The combination of classroom learning and real-world projects allowed me to apply what I learned immediately."

Laura

Apprentice

"It was a transformative experience for me. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by the entire staff. The program was well-structured and provided a seamless transition into the professional world. The opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals allowed me to gain practical skills and insights that simply cannot be taught in a classroom setting."

Greg

Apprentice

"I’m very grateful to have completed your JEM Apprenticeship. It gave me the chance to learn and grow in a supportive environment. The combination of classroom learning and real-world projects allowed me to apply what I learned immediately. The Heat loss lesson was my favourite, and I used most of these calculations in my energy project for end point, which saved my department £4000/month after we replaced the equipment."

Mohammed

Apprentice

"Enrolling in your apprenticeship program was one of the best decisions I've made for my career. The hands-on experience and mentorship provided by your team were invaluable. Not only did I learn practical skills that are directly applicable to my field, but I also gained confidence in my abilities."

James

Apprentice

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An apprenticeship is a training program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. It allows individuals to acquire practical skills and knowledge in a specific trade or profession while working under the guidance of experienced professionals.

We ask learners to attend 1x 2hr lecture per month, these are set in advance and will always be during working hours (09:00 – 17:00). In addition to this, learners are required to evidence 5hrs of their work activities per week, which relate to their course standards. This is logged in their portfolio as ‘OTJ Hours’ and will be assessed by their tutors. For example, if a learner is enrolled on the Digital Marketing qualification, and they spend 3hrs a week managing a social media campaign through your companies Instagram account, this would make up 3 of the 5 OTJ hours they are required to log each week.

For non-levy paying businesses, the government pay for 95% of the course fees, and the employer makes a 5% co-payment. For Levy paying businesses, the allocation comes straight out of the companies levy account.

If the If the learner withdraws within 30 days of starting the course, the employer will be charged an administration fee of £500. If they withdraw 31-90 days after starting the employer will be charged an administration fee of £1000. If the learner withdraws from programme 90+ days after starting, there are no fees to pay.

Between 12 and 33 months depending on the qualification level.

Community energy specialist

Course profile

Identifying appropriate renewable energy and energy efficient technologies for specific buildings, sites and customers, working with local communities and site owners;

Working with low income/vulnerable households to advise on low/no cost measures and behaviour changes that can save energy and cost;

Modelling the financial feasibility of projects, identifying the level of funding required and potential sources appropriate for community energy e.g. community shares/bonds, social loans, state aid compliant grant funding;

Leading a team of volunteer directors to secure funding for the project, overseeing an effective marketing plan to ensure sufficient funds are raised;

Organising a tender for installation work, liaising with successful contractors and community members to create a project plan compliant with co-operative principles;

Ensuring that all necessary sector-specific legal agreements and contracts are in place between the community energy organisation, site owners, installers, and relevant authorities prior to project commencement;

Using sector-specific expertise to monitor the ongoing functioning of the project, managing maintenance, the financial performance of their organisation and compliance with e.g. FCA requirements, and investor returns and community benefit pot if applicable;

Proactively engaging in community and youth education around community energy, g. assemblies/lessons in schools, presentations at youth organisations and community centres;

Assisting in delivery of collective energy purchasing initiatives;

Assessing the social impact of each project and potential for community

Want to upskill your staff

Backed by leading education bodies & partners

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Impact apprenticeships

Impact virtual academy

Laura

Greg

James

Ewan

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

Overall grades available

Fail

Pass

Merit

Distinction

Let’s future proof your workforce

Real Results for UK Businesses

How Energy Apprenticeships Help Businesses Reach Net-Zero Goals?

Digital marketing trends 2025: How to keep your team ahead of the curve

The Housing Crisis in 2025: Why Skills and Apprenticeships Are Key to Building Our Future

FAQs

Still have some questions?