Elmhurst Energy backs Domestic Energy Assessor courses at Exeter and Forth Valley colleges

Elmhurst Energy has set out partnerships with Exeter College and Forth Valley College to deliver Domestic Energy Assessor training, with the Exeter course already producing qualified assessors and the Scottish programme due to start in the coming months.

The accreditation body, which describes itself as the UK's largest scheme for energy assessors and retrofit professionals, published the update on 5 November to coincide with Green Careers Week.

Elmhurst said it works with further and higher education providers across the UK to support training in energy assessment, retrofit and building performance. Its services for colleges include assessment and verification, train-the-trainer programmes and access to EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) and retrofit software.

Luke Moss, Skills Manager at Exeter College, said: "Working with Elmhurst Energy has allowed us to build on our existing training expertise" and create new pathways into the energy assessment industry.

Exeter College

Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) training is now running at Exeter College under the partnership, Elmhurst said. The course gives learners a route to qualifying as DEAs able to assess the energy performance of existing homes and produce EPCs.

Among those who have completed the course is Nicola Harman of Fords South West Ltd, who already worked in solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps before gaining the qualification, according to Elmhurst.

The DEA course extends an existing retrofit training offer at the college. According to GOV.UK, Exeter College was a Phase 2 winner of the government's Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, having built retrofit training capacity over three years. Its funded courses include the PAS 2035 ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assessors and the Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment, delivered mainly face to face in Exeter within the South-West Net Zero Hub region.

GOV.UK said the college works with TrustMark to align its courses with National Occupational Standards and has a national network of delivery partners.

Exeter College also said Elmhurst now sits on the national board of the Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP). GSAP describes itself as a member-led committee of more than 500 building services, housing and construction businesses, supported by local authorities, charities and training providers across the UK. Its website refers to the South West-based Green Construction Advisory Panel being rolled out nationally with BACH.

Forth Valley College

In Scotland, Forth Valley College's Skills Transition Centre announced its partnership with Elmhurst on 13 August 2026. The college said the centre will deliver the accredited DEA programme with Elmhurst's support from its new Falkirk Campus facilities.

Josh Wakeling, Head of Training at Elmhurst Energy, said: "Partnering with Forth Valley College allows us to expand access to high-quality Domestic Energy Assessor training in Scotland."

The college said the qualification suits new entrants as well as people already working in construction, housing, property management, surveying and retrofit. The first cohorts were expected to start training in the coming months, with applications opening shortly.

The Scottish Government approved the business case for the £4m Skills Transition Centre in February 2025, according to the college. The centre forms part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal and is intended to support Scotland's Just Transition, with focus areas including Clean Energy and Net Zero, Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Digitalisation, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology and High Voltage Industry.

Forth Valley College said at approval that the centre will support more than 1,000 students a year into employment. Its project page sets a 10-year target of 11,415 learners upskilled or reskilled, including 2,282 from under-represented groups.

How the model works

Under Elmhurst's model for colleges, the provider teaches the course and Elmhurst carries out the post-training portfolio assessment, quality checks and verification required by the awarding body. It also supplies the EPC and retrofit software used by practising assessors and offers train-the-trainer programmes for providers building in-house delivery capability.

Testimonials on Elmhurst's education page list London Metropolitan University's School of the Built Environment and the University of Derby among its existing partners. Elmhurst, headquartered in Lutterworth, has been part of the Phenna Group since November 2020.

Applications for the Forth Valley DEA course are due to open shortly, the college said, ahead of the first cohorts starting in the coming months.