IGEM/UP/1B Update: Employers and Training Providers

A gas hob burner showing gas flames.

IGEM/UP/1B has been updated to Edition 4, and training providers should ensure that delivery aligns with this latest edition. Any assessments carried out after 1 October 2026 must reference IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4. Where further detail is required, it is important to note that Edition 4 introduces changes to how the maximum permissible pressure loss is calculated and how purge volume … Read more

From Feedback to Mastery: How Integrating Assessment and Conscious Competence Transforms Learning into Workplace-Ready Performance

David Morgan, Head of Business Development, Sales and Marketing Apprenticeship reforms permit apprenticeship providers to undertake some of the assessment themselves. With assessment now permitted at any stage of the apprenticeship, knowing when to assess for competence will be critical to positive experiences for the apprentice and the achievement of successful outcomes. In many learning environments, … Read more

Coming soon: Building Services Engineering End-point Assessments

We will soon be adding the following standards to our end-point assessment portfolio: Building Services Engineering is all about engineering systems used to heat large buildings like factories and hospitals. These standards fall under the Construction and Built Environment route and complement the standards for which we already offer end-point assessment, such as Low Carbon … Read more

Our Policy Updates

We are pleased to share a number of important updates to our policies, reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement, transparency and supporting learners and centres.  Enquiry about Results and Appeals Policy  A key update is the introduction of a revised Enquiries about Results and Appeals Policy, which replaces the previously separated policies. These have now been combined into a … Read more

Accelerating Female Talent into Dual Fuel Smart Metering Roles 

Energy & Environment Awards and Calisen are working together to help more women enter dual fuel smart metering roles through a targeted apprenticeship programme to qualify as a Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer.  Why it matters  Demand for skilled workers is rising as the sector transitions to net zero, with the Energy & Utility Skills’ Skills Strategy 2025-2030 identifying a need for 156,900 new roles in the energy sector … Read more

Apprenticeship Units: Upskilling England’s Workforce – The Case for Independent Quality Assurance

David Morgan, Head of Business Development, Sales and Marketing Apprenticeship units are a new feature of England’s skills system, introduced in April 2026 and funded through the Growth and Skills Levy. They are short training courses drawn from existing apprenticeship standards, designed to help employers upskill existing employees quickly in priority skill areas. By allowing … Read more

Apprenticeship reforms will help response to urgent workforce demands

Energy & Utility Skills Group welcomes the government’s move to provide greater flexibility in how employers can use the Growth and Skills Levy, an urgent need for the energy and utilities sector. The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the introduction of apprenticeship units – short, flexible training courses to help respond quickly to evolving skills … Read more

New apprenticeship standard boosts heat network capability on the path to net zero

Heat networks are expected to play a central role in decarbonising heat in homes, public buildings and industry. As demand increases, so does the need for technicians with the right safety critical and technical skills. The Heat Network Maintenance Technician apprenticeship, now approved for delivery in England, represents an important step toward developing the skilled … Read more