How we’re creating a better energy future for UK homes

We’ve all read the headlines and seen the devastating aftermath left by storms, floods and other environmental disasters caused by the climate crisis. And we all know that making our homes more sustainable is essential as we work to create a new energy world and meet the UK’s net zero targets.

Here, Richie Atkinson, E.ON Next’s Head of Future Homes, talks about the work he’s leading and how it’s contributing to the new energy world. With the support of his team, Richie is helping to transform homes up and down the country, improve people’s comfort, lower energy bills and make homes more sustainable and fit for the future.

Richie is also responsible for E.ON’s Net Zero Training Academy where we’re training and upskilling technicians to fit future homes solutions like solar panels and batteries and air source heat pumps, empowering people to generate their own energy and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Creating homes that are fit for the future

“I’ve worked at E.ON for just over 12 years and right now, I’m responsible for bringing greener, cleaner and more sustainable solutions into people’s homes. From sales to survey, and design to installation, my team and I deploy net zero home solutions for customers who are not eligible for funded measures.

“As part of my role, I’m responsible for keeping people safe – be that our own workforce who are delivering these solutions into people’s homes, or our customers. I make sure that our people and our customers stay safe while complying with all necessary regulations and ensuring we attract and maintain a well-trained and fully capable workforce.”

Transitioning beyond smart meters

“Smart meters are the very foundation to more sustainable future, for our customers at individual level but also for our national energy infrastructure. And prior to my current role, that’s where I’ve predominantly worked – supporting the national rollout of smart meters either directly through our own team of Smart Meter Technicians or through our partner Morrison Energy Services.

“We continue to fit smart meters for our customers. But now, we’re also looking beyond that to the future, ensuring our 1,000+ skilled Meter Technicians - who have years of customer excellence experience and technical skills - are given a clear pathway between their smart metering roles today and the transition to low carbon solutions installations tomorrow. And all whilst maintaining customer excellence at the core of their training.

“We’ve trained more than 150 Meter Technicians to electrician or heating installer status over the past 18 months, with further courses starting soon.”

About the Kingswinford Net Zero Training Academy

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far at our Net Zero Training Academy. The people and the atmosphere here. The links we have with the local community. And our ability and agility in tailoring our training to meet the needs of our technicians.

“Many of the people we train come from a smart metering background, so they already understand the very real benefits that future-looking, transformational change can deliver for customers in their homes.”

Training for all stages

“We offer training for all career and experience stages – from absolute novices who are new to the industry to upskilling those who have been trained previously. We cover everything from heat pump water regulations, training on cylinders, design and commissioning to fault finding. All of this ensures that our engineers are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to ensure our customers have the best possible installation experience.

“The most rewarding part of my role though is seeing the journey of an individual from one skill to another. But we also need to acknowledge the fact that the upskill courses are difficult.

“We’re dealing with complex installations and the requirements placed on candidates going through that upskill journey can be challenging. The most difficult part is having honest conversations with people who have struggled with the subject material to inform them that they may be better suited to another path. People will eventually thank you for the honesty shown and accept that not everyone is ideally suited for the world of electrical installations, but the initial disappointment is difficult.

“The world around us moves so fast, our ability to move with that pace in such a big organisation is super impressive. On a personal level I’ve learnt that everyone is different and my leadership style needs to be tailored to each person I interact with.”

Delivering diversity in engineering

“Diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords at E.ON, and I personally don’t consider gender to have any impact on a person’s ability to operate within a technical environment. Some of our best current electricians are women. We have exceeded our internal target to recruit more women into engineering roles over the past two years, and I intend for that to continue. 

“I think E.ON’s companywide forums, such as the ‘Women in Leadership’ programme and ‘Women in Engineering’ help dispel myths around the technical workplace and how it’s suitable for any gender.”

About green jobs

“My personal view is that there’s nothing quite like the opportunity to be able to tell your grandchildren that your skillset supported a cultural and technology shift which will help generations for years to come. I think all major energy suppliers, alongside central and local government have an obligation to educate and promote net zero technologies.

“We, at E.ON, are doing our best to help the UK reach net zero, but there’s still more we can do. We’re investing in huge battery storage facilities. We’re working with cities, local authorities, and homeowners to support the energy transition. We’re supporting local schools, communities and learners to ready them for a life in renewable energy installation. Without all of that, we’ll just talk about doing stuff, rather than actually making it happen.

“My time at E.ON so far has been truly life changing. And the main advice I’d give to someone considering entering a green career is to go for it – there’s so much opportunity now and in the future with skills which will last a lifetime.”

To find out more about roles available at E.ON, visit eon-uk-careers.com