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Contents

Assessor Newsletter

May 2021

Dear Member,

I am writing this intro a couple of days after a very enlightening and successful PEPA Conference. As some of you will know, I chair the association and we have been committed to an annual conference since 2018.

Under normal circumstances, that wouldn’t be a difficult commitment, but we don’t live in normal times (just yet). So, the 4th conference was delayed by 3 months and was eventually delivered as a totally virtual event for the first time.

As I can now attest, virtual events require far more pre-planning and effort than a face-to-face event and they do feel different, however the feedback we have received to date has been overwhelmingly positive, so it is a sign that there is a place for such methods of delivery. I hope the Stroma Members that attended enjoyed the event and the information imparted by the speakers. Please see further details about our PEPA conference elsewhere in the newsletter.

Back to the day job, May saw some big developments for Stroma Certification. We launched our first podcast, which was born out of really constructive feedback from our members forum focus group. This podcast allows members to listen to a version of this very newsletter, which means you can take it out in the field with you and get the same information as you would reading on your tablet, phone or computer. This is available from Apple, Google and Spotify and you can subscribe so you automatically get the next edition.

We also launched FSAP 2012 with Trimble SketchUp integration which will allow our SAP assessors to benefit from this functionality (see elsewhere in the newsletter). Additionally, Stroma Certification and Ace Wizard are now integrated to allow ACIRs to be lodged on the central register via this excellent piece of software, which can do more than just create the mandated report. Please do check out the free CPD that is available on this opportunity.

Another major development is the up and coming release of a new version of our SAP 10 Beta software. The Beta software has been in place for many months now and is based on the latest SAP 10.1 draft methodology. Whilst we await confirmation of the final version of the methodology (SAP 10.2) we have been continuously improving our Beta software and adding features to allow our OCDEA members to run compliance calculations against the proposed building regulations. Our OCDEAs should keep an eye out for the new version and the release notes. If you haven’t yet installed SAP 10 Beta, you will be able to do so for free from our website and Members Area shortly.

We have also just launched our Stroma Learning Management System (LMS), which brings benefits of great quality CPD, to your PC, iPad or phone, at a time to suit you, whist allowing you to retain your CPD records and other training in one location. Its free to sign up and you only pay when you need to do a CPD course. Keep any eye on our dedicated webpage for the full list of CPD and any new courses!

A quick word on the industry. After a fairly quiet April, which was impacted by both a staged release of lockdown and several bank holidays, May has been a busy month for all strands and Retrofit Scheme are really starting to ramp up towards the end of PAS 2030 transition date for ECO. If you have trained as a Retrofit Assessor or Coordinator and haven’t already applied to join the scheme, then please consider this. We can register you at no upfront cost, until you need to use the services to lodge on the TrustMark Data Warehouse. This means you can appear on the registered Business Portal and be available to work for ECO installers.

Finally, on Covid. Even though the news and trajectory out of restrictions has generally been positive, there are concerns around a new variant. Please do continue to keep up to date on the latest developments and maintain the excellent safe working standards that you have implemented over the last year. Overall, please keep yourself safe and follow the government guidance in your area when working in the field!

I hope you enjoy this newsletter, and/or the alternative podcast format. Please do give us your feedback on so we can continuously improve what we cover in these forums.

Enjoy the start of summer when it finally arrives.

Best,

Andrew Parkin, Director of Energy Certification

Stroma Certification Podcast – Episode 1

You can now listen to the first edition of the Stroma Certification Podcast, in which Director of Energy Certification Andrew Parkin and Head of Marketing John Prydderch discuss upcoming developments in the UK energy industry.

In this episode, the panel discussed the PEPA Conference, Online Training, SketchUp integration and Stroma's new Learning Management System.

You can also listen on the following platforms:

ACE Wizard Taster CPD Sessions

As part of our ongoing partnership with software provider ACE Wizard, which allows Stroma Members to perform Air Conditioning Inspection Reports (ACIRs) and lodge them on the Central Register. We are pleased to advertise a new CPD taster session.

Our CPD taster sessions for members who wish to learn more about the ACE Wizard software will give insight into how the software is used and the benefits versus existing AC software. The sessions will outline how to use the software and the key features as well as covering other key benefits to Stroma Non-Domestic assessors.

The taster session will be run on:

7th June - 3:00pm

If you would like to attend, please sign up here
Register

PEPA Conference 2021

If you didn’t catch us at this year’s PEPA Conference on the 25th of May, don’t worry, you can still visit our PEPA Event Hub, and see exactly what we were talking about throughout the day!

Visit the Stroma Certification PEPA Hub page here

PAS 2030 Transition Arrangement Comes to an End

Please be aware the PAS 2030 transition arrangement comes to an end on the 30th June 2021 and from the 1st of July 2021 BEIS have confirmed all work must be carried out to PAS 2030:19 and PAS 2035:19 standards. BEIS have confirmed that they will not be considering any further extension to PAS 2030 transition arrangements beyond the 1st of July effective date including social housing, ECO, Home Upgrade Grant and any other funded schemes including future phases of the LAD scheme.

BEIS have however stated that they are looking at the mechanism for extending PAS2030-17 for work which has been acquired under the Green Homes Voucher Scheme and LAD 1a and 1b until the 31st of October 2021. This is subject to approval of the mechanism for extending PAS2030-17 for these two work strands only and in accordance with the relative rules established under the relevant schemes.

We will communicate further details as soon as BEIS have issued their formal communication.

BEIS are clear that no further extension beyond the 1st of July 2021 outside of this scope will be permitted and installers must have moved to the PAS2030-19 standard as previously required.

Here are some bullets setting the position out:

  • BEIS has requested that BSI republish the PAS 2030:2019 standard to allow the PAS 2030:2017 standard to continue to be used until the 31 October 2021.
  • The decision to extend the PAS2030:2017 standards beyond 30 June, only applies to the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme and Local Authority Delivery Phase 1. All other schemes will not accept PAS 2030:2017 from 01 July 2021, this includes the Local Authority Delivery Phase 2, Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG).
  • BEIS has been clear that this decision is to ensure fairness so that all installers to have the opportunity to migrate, given the problems with the voucher scheme in particular.
  • There will be no further extension to the PAS 2030:2017 standard. From 01 November 2021 PAS 2030:2017 will no longer be a valid certification for any government scheme.
  • BEIS has confirmed that it remains committed to implementing the outcomes of the Each Home Counts Review and the importance of high standards in retrofit, including supporting the transition to PAS 2030:2019. They strongly encourage all installers to get PAS 2030:2019 certification in place.

SketchUp FSAP Integration for OCDEAs

Our popular FSAP software suite, used by half of the On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors (OCDEA) across the UK now has a Trimble SketchUp integration feature.

How to sign up to Trimble SketchUp

Stroma Certification OCDEAs can sign up to use SketchUp by clicking here

The use case for SketchUp does vary from organisation to organisation, as there are many different ways to use SketchUp depending on what the user wants/needs from the system, so it is wise to make suitable enquiries with Trimble. However, in our experience, the ‘Pro’ package offers the necessary access to the package to allow OCDEAs to complete 3D plans.

How to add the SketchUp importer to FSAP

Adding Trimble SketchUp to your account today - simply complete the below form and our team will add this to your profile. This will give you the ability to access the import option within FSAP.

Sign up is free and you only pay for the facility when you lodge an EPC where the SketchUp importer has been used.

Sign up here

Learning Management System (LMS)

Our brand-new, bespoke Learning Management System is now live and ready to accept Stroma Members. All Assessors are required to complete a certain amount of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours per year. Our new LMS system will make it easier and more streamlined to accrue and log CPD hours.

Our new LMS includes the following features for Assessors to access:
  • Energy Assessor CPD and professional short courses will be available - The online CPD Library which will grow over time
  • High quality and good valuable CPD with be available, with an ability to complete CPD wherever you are at any time
  • Cross device functionality – PC/Mac/iOS/Android
  • Variety of rich content is possible
  • Pause learning and pick up at a later time
  • Knowledge tests will be marked and downloadable CPD certificates will be issued instantly
  • Online record of CPD - A hub where everything is easily accessible.

Try our LMS here

RdSAP 9.94 Update
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Cost: £12
Main Heating Systems in Domestic Properties
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Cost: £12
Aging Domestic Properties
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Cost: £12
Non-Traditional Buildings
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Cost: £12

Online Training/ Latest Dates

You can now Book, Pay & Learn Online with us. Check out our latest training dates below. You can also view our full training calendar.

Traditional Buildings Course
Start Date: 29 Jun, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 30 Jun, 2022
SOLD OUT
£495 + £80 NOCN fee (excluding VAT)
SOLD OUT
DEA Training Course
Start Date: 04 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 06 Jul, 2022
SOLD OUT
£845 + £230 ABBE fee (excluding VAT)
SOLD OUT
PAS2035 Training Course
Start Date: 07 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 08 Jul, 2022
Places Remaining: 6
£299 (excluding VAT)
View Course Info
SAP Training Course
Start Date: 11 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 14 Jul, 2022
SOLD OUT
£1345 + £230 ABBE fee (excluding VAT)
SOLD OUT
Air Conditioning Training Combined L3/L4
Start Date: 11 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 13 Jul, 2022
Places Remaining: 5
(excluding VAT)
View Course Info
DEA Training Course
Start Date: 11 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 13 Jul, 2022
Places Remaining: 4
£845 + £230 ABBE fee (excluding VAT)
View Course Info
SAP Training Course
Start Date: 18 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 21 Jul, 2022
SOLD OUT
£1345 + £230 ABBE fee (excluding VAT)
SOLD OUT
PAS2035 Training Course
Start Date: 21 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 22 Jul, 2022
Places Remaining: 10
£299 (excluding VAT)
View Course Info
DEA Training Course
Start Date: 25 Jul, 2022
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Date: 27 Jul, 2022
Places Remaining: 2
£845 + £230 ABBE fee (excluding VAT)
View Course Info
Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland: Consultation on Policy Options

Purpose of this consultation:

We are developing a new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. We are consulting on policy options to achieve a decarbonised energy future for Northern Ireland.

This builds on the evidence received and the key issues identified through the Call for Evidence process, which took place in 2020.

This consultation can be completed by anyone who:
• lives in Northern Ireland, or
• belongs to an organisation or company that operates in Northern Ireland, or has a remit here

Learn more >>

ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Air Conditioning requirements

This is to inform you that changes have been made to the Level 3 and Level 4 Air Conditioning qualifications.

We have removed the necessity for unit 3 to be assessed through an examination, the form of assessment for this unit will now be Portfolio of Evidence, however, if any learners have already booked an examination, they can still go ahead and take it.

Making this change has also enabled us to review the handbooks which has led to some amendments and clarification of some points. All of the changes are listed on page two of the handbooks. The revised qualification specifications and handbooks can be found on our website.

Learn more >>