Environmental charity Changeworks recruiting Home Energy Scotland advisors in Highlands and Islands to provide more support during energy crisis
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An environmental charity is recruiting additional energy advisors in the Highlands and Islands to support more people during the energy crisis.
The recruitment drive by Changeworks for Home Energy Scotland advisors comes in anticipation of the expected second spike in heating bills costs from October.
Since April, there has been unprecedented demand for energy advice.
And the energy crisis is expected to become worse, due to the combined impact of the war in Ukraine alongside the increased cost of living as the UK struggles to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Rising energy prices could see 47 per cent of Highland households pushed into fuel poverty
Home Energy Scotland – delivered in the Highlands and Islands by Changeworks on behalf of the Scottish Government and Energy Saving Trust – offers free, impartial advice on energy saving, keeping warm at home as well as renewable energy and other ways to fight the climate emergency.
The award-winning team has helped over 11,500 households over the past year, and is bracing itself for the impact of the ongoing energy crisis on already vulnerable households and those at risk of fuel poverty.
Vicky Walker, Home Energy Scotland’s centre manager for the Highlands and Islands, described it as "a critical time".
"We need to recruit staff to meet the demand and to be able to continue to support those who need help," she said.
"Joining the team is a great opportunity to support people in need of energy advice whilst also helping to tackle the climate emergency."
The recruitment drive also aims to support the local community, especially those working in more rural areas across the Highlands and Islands.
"Changeworks offers hybrid working as we are keen to ensure we have advisors who understand the needs of householders living in the Highlands and Islands, especially those who may be more remote – for example, living in Shetland," Ms Walker said.
To find out more about the vacancies visit Changeworks/jobs.
The application deadline is August 15.
For energy advice and more, the Home Energy Scotland website has a range of resources as well as information on how to call the helpline.
The issues about fuel poverty and rising energy prices have been highlighted by the Inverness Courier as part of our End The Chill campaign.
The Highlands is already one of the worst affected regions in Scotland with 33 per cent of all households living in fuel poverty.
Modelling by Energy Action Scotland earlier this year predicted it would rise to 47 per cent.
Only the Western Isles fares worse among all 32 Scottish local authorities.
According to modelling, 57 per cent of people living in the Western Isles are set to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on energy – after housing costs have been deducted – the official definition of being fuel poor.
