Below is some referenced - useful information from standards already in place.

DEA qualification
Level 3 Diploma for Domestic Energy Assessment

Training for DEA's...DEA qualification
Level 3 Diploma for Domestic Energy Assessment
Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment for candidates.

This is the first ever national qualification covering the energy rating of houses. Our DEA training has already proved successful - you can be confident of achieving 'DipDEA' and being able to issue Energy Performance Certificates for existing dwellings.

Change your career even if you do not have existing skills
All candidates are required to satisfactorily complete:
1. evidence (often contained in a portfolio) that proves competence.
2. a minimum of 5 energy performance certificates from a range of properties ( pre, inter and post war), one should come from each age period and one of these must be a flat.
3. Pass the DipDEA External exam [70% or more is required to pass the exam]

Starting and completing your Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment
Begin to collate your evidence, which includes undertaking domestic energy assessments and completing the reports. The Assessment Centre will provide you with guidance on how to compile the portfolio. This will then be assessed by the Centre and may be finally approved by the Awarding Body. Finally, sit the DipDEA External Exam.

After acceptance of your portfolio your Assessment Centre will obtain your Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment and send it to you.

Gathering evidence for assessment

For more detailed information, contact your  Assessment Centre

There are 5 units of competence.

Unit 1 Working in an effective and professional manner
Unit 2 Contribute to the safety and security of property
Unit 3 Prepare for energy assessments
Unit 4 Undertake energy inspections
Unit 5 Prepare and explain Energy Performance Certificates.

The units require you to investigate and evaluate a range of factors that impact on the energy performance of domestic property. They also require you to understand and follow the various guidance and standards governing
inspection practice and agree and follow your client?s instructions. You will need to understand energy performance methodology and in particular, make a complete and comprehensive record of your findings. You will also to demonstrate a good sound knowledge and understanding of building construction.

Evidence is collated and presented in a portfolio. This may be paper based but a number of assessment centres allow candidates to compile an e-portfolio accessed by web-based technologies. There are a variety of ways in which evidence may be produced and assessed:

By product evidence. This will include your site notes from inspection, photographs of relevant parts of properties inspected, calculations of relevant areas and volumes, completed reports, file notes etc

By witness statements. - These are especially useful in confirming your involvement in particular energy assessments and indicating the authenticity of your evidence

At a structured professional interview. Your assessor may offer this interview to help fill possible gaps in your portfolio.

By assessor observation: - Evidence from observation by your assessor is strong evidence of your ability and performance

Gathering the data for producing Energy Performance Certificates

The energy reports must cover a range of property types. You will be expected to conduct a visual inspection of the property taking notes and measurements and identifying factors which affect the energy performance of the building such as construction, glazing, flooring, heating systems and controls. The resulting reports must demonstrate your ability to work with a range of information covering diverse factors that impact on a
property?s energy performance.

The Assessment Process and Quality Assurance

The Assessor allocated to you by the Assessment Centre examines and approves (or offers further guidance on) the evidence in your portfolio by comparing it to the criteria required for the award and these are based on
the National Occupational Standards. An Internal Verifier working within the Assessment Centre verifies the assessment process.

An External Verifier from the Awarding Body audits the procedures adopted by the Assessment Centre.

Undertaking Energy Assessments

All qualified domestic energy assessors will need to be a member of a certification scheme to undertake energy assessments from mid 2007. They will need to apply for this upon completion of their Diploma. Home
inspectors / valuers who wish to undertake home condition reports and valuation work for lenders will need, in addition, to achieve the additional DipHI award and valuation units

How long will it take to achieve the DipDEA?

The time required to achieve the award depends to a great extent on the skills gaps to be filled.
For candidates who have substantial prior knowledge and experience of similar work, the period could be as short as a few weeks. For candidates with no knowledge or experience, it is likely to take upwards of five or six months, and is dependent on the type of training undertaken.

How much will it cost?  Please email us for details.
You could complete the DEA Diploma within 3-4 Months with some hard work ahead.

You would attend your RDSAP Training and exam in Northampton or other designated centre.       Some candidates will attend a one or two day training course covering construction/energy matters with us in Manchester depending on their experiences.

Regards - Erin Contreras (DEA UK Regional Manager)