We have trained over 2000 dual fuel gas and electricity engineers, helping some of the UK’s largest energy companies build their workforce and meet smart meter installation targets. We can help your business recruit and train apprentices with bespoke training programmes.
Whether you have existing staff looking to undertake an apprenticeship or are wanting to recruit a new apprentice, we'll support your candidate(s) through the course and set them up for success.
With our vast experience in apprenticeships we are able to help our commercial partners build strong and competent workforces. Click on the cards below to find out more.
We train up apprentices with the necessary skills to safely install, exchange and maintain smart meters, whilst also explaining to customers how they work and how to use energy more efficiently.
Dual Fuel Smart Meter installers provide vital skills for the metering industry and form a key part of the Government's mandate to reduce carbon emissions and improve overall energy management.
Employers benefit from having skilled labour that have been professionally trained and have the skills and knowledge to do jobs relevant to their job.
Apprentices tend to stay on with their current employer much longer than normal staff might.
Financial incentives available make it more enticing for companies to take on apprentices.
We can work with your business to find appropriate apprenticeship candidates.
We can advertise roles and assist in interviewing potential candidates before putting them through the appropriate training.
We also have a database of trained candidates, many of which are looking for apprenticeship placements.
Talk to our teamDID YOU KNOW THAT YOU MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDING TO PUT AN APPRENTICE THROUGH TRAINING?
Many employers are unaware of the costs of hiring an apprentice, with many ruling it out as too expensive to consider. But there are a variety of funding options available to employers to help put an apprentice through training.
Further information about apprenticeship funding can be found here.
If you're an employer with an annual payroll of more than £3 million, you'll be charged a levy of 0.5% which goes into a digital fund.
This fund can be accessed and used for the recruitment of apprentices into your workforce as well as support the skills development of your existing employees.
If you're an employer with an annual payroll of less than £3 million, you aren't required to pay an apprenticeship levy.Instead employers contribute 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice, and the government would then fund the rest.
BY LAW ALL APPRENTICES NEED TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 20% OR 500+ HOURS OF OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING IN ORDER TO PASS THEIR APPRENTICESHIP?
Off-the-job training is any work/activity relevant to the apprenticeship, that is undertaken within an apprentices contracted hours but falls outside of their normal work duties. Some examples of off-the-job training include: Classes and workshops, masterclasses, mentoring, job shadowing etc...
As time and resources cannot always be dedicated to these sort of activities within a normal business day, many employers will seek to work with training providers to help facilitate any off-the-job training.
Find out how Universal Skills can provision off-the-job training for your apprentices today.
We work in partnership with many UK renowned energy companies, helping to tailor and deliver technical training that enables electrical apprentices to develop their skills in a safe and supportive environment. We're pretty flexible in how we work with employers - we tailor the course content and training to work around you and your apprentices needs, wherever possible.
We have been in the business for over 30 years and in that time have successfully launched the careers of over 2000 Dual Fuel engineers.
We have trained over 2000 Dual Fuel gas and electricity engineers, helping some of the UK's largest energy companies build their workforce and meet Smart Meter installation targets
Our in-centre training programme takes new recruits and gives them the skills, confidence and competence to begin installation work in 18 weeks.
Our team of assessors and tutors are technical experts in their field resulting in a rewarding and engaging learning experience.
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We can take care of uniform distribution, stocking of vans, and deliver customer service training to ingrain your culture before they hit the road.
Our training facility has been developed to prepare engineers for the field with real life scenarios and street built into our centre.
Our training facilities include classrooms for theory based learning, as well as workshops to practice electrical work within a controlled environment. Many of the workshops are designed to reflect various setups and scenarios that smart meter installers would potentially find when working out in the field.
All apprentices are taught by experienced gas and electrical tutors providing the necessary knowledge and skills to complete their apprenticeship.
Our dedicated apprenticeship team are here to support all apprentices while training in the centre, as well as coordinate with employers to to ensure that all delivery needs are being met.
Apprenticeship Manager
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Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator
We are proud of our track record and how what we do affects the lives of everyone who trains with us.
I recently completed a 6 month dual fuel smart metering course at USG. The tutors were excellent and were always there if you needed them. A special shoutout to Adam!
Apprentices benefit from training that is both challenging and enjoyable, particularly the practical aspects of installation and testing. Trainers plan and deliver the off-the job element well.
My experience at Universal Skills has been extremely positive. Throughout my gas and electric training the tutors have been thorough and very supportive, always taking time to answer questions and re explain things if students are unsure
Mike tutored us for 4 months and was an absolute shining light in the world of education and the smart meter universe. Thank you for everything.
From the 1st November 2020, all employers are expected to have a Digital Apprenticeship Service account.
Track your apprentices' progress and feedback
Last monitoring visit: February 2020
Downloadable documents.
Our in centre team can advise you on course bookings, availability and commercial training programmes. Fill in the form to get started.
