Insulation, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps and Wind Turbines From Mark Group

Climate Change Minister Makes His Mark

Thursday 10 June 2010

Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Climate Change was in Leicester earlier today (Thursday 10th June), visiting energy-saving specialist Mark Group and meeting the 1000th trainee to graduate from its Academy since it opened in 2008.

The visit, which took place at Mark Group’s purpose-built facility, was a chance for the Minister to meet young trainees who will benefit from the huge jobs and skills opportunities that a massive increase in home insulation will bring. Making homes more energy-efficient will also help the UK meet its climate targets and help residents cut fuel bills.

The Minister met Shaun Williams, 23, who is currently training to become a loft insulator, a far cry from his previous role in a supermarket bakery. Shaun said: “I worked in a bakery for five years but wanted a job which would be more hands-on and give me a feeling of achievement. The training I’ve received so far at Mark Group has been excellent and I know the company also specialises in renewable technology, so after every loft in the UK has been insulated, there could be an excellent future here for me.”

Making full use of the practical training facilities at the Academy, the Minister tried his hand at laying loft insulation and filling a cavity wall, picking up tips as he went from the industry experts.

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker, said: “It is great to meet the faces of the future who, in time, will be making homes in Leicester and across the country warmer, cheaper to run and better for the planet.

“The Government’s ‘Green Deal’ will offer the opportunity for people to make real improvements to the energy efficiency of their homes as well as creating green jobs and business opportunities. Home energy efficiency is a no brainer. Our plans will make it as easy and as financially attractive as possible to get people to lag their lofts, fill in wall cavities and take further steps to reduce their use of energy in the home.”

The visit was supported by insulation industry body, the National Insulation Association (NIA) which represents the manufacturers and installers of cavity and solid wall insulation, loft insulation and draught proofing and has been working closely with the new Government on its Green Deal programme.

Neil Marshall, NIA chief executive, said: “The NIA is delighted with the new Government’s commitment to home energy efficiency and recognition of the key role that insulation has to play in reducing fuel bills, combating climate change and creating new jobs.

“The Green Deal is a very exciting new initiative and our industry looks forward to continuing to work with Government in developing a robust delivery plan which will ensure a major increase in insulation volumes going forward whilst maintaining the highest levels of quality, standards and customer service.”

Mark Group is the leading installer of energy savings solutions to the domestic UK market. To date it has made around two million homes more energy efficient and supports the Department of Energy and Climate Change, advising on policy-making and helping the UK achieve its carbon reduction targets.

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