Burnham & Weston Energy partner SBA CIC to support energy advice delivery

Burnham & Weston Energy’s new Home Energy Advisor could be offered fully funded business support from SBA CIC if they need help to establish themselves in this self-employed role.

A local community energy not-for-profit, Burnham & Weston Energy CIC is recruiting a Home Energy Advisor to help residents across Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area to reduce their energy bills and make it easier to keep their homes warm. The new role comes with fully funded business start-up support delivered by fellow community interest company SBA CIC. The aim is to help the successful applicant set up and develop their position as a self-employed contractor.

Lynda Wookey, Impact & Development Director for Burnham & Weston Energy CIC, said, “We are already looking for our successful candidate to be skilled in supporting vulnerable members of our community and, ideally, in home energy efficiency. These are two big asks before we also expect our chosen Home Energy Advisor to work on a self-employed basis. So, while we can offer energy efficiency training, we are delighted that in partnering SBA we can open our Home Energy Advisor opportunity to candidates who may appreciate help in setting themselves up as a self-employed contractor.”

Patricia Marks, CEO, SBA CIC, said, “Our partnership with Burnham & Weston Energy is exciting because it may encourage people wanting to become self-employed, whether a young person or someone more experienced in the workplace, to apply for the Home Energy Advisor contract. Our package of support could give Burnham & Weston Energy confidence that they can recruit the right person based on their skills and aptitude. The successful candidate will benefit from valuable support to help establish themselves as an independent contractor, should they need it.”

Self-employment packages for young people and those with workplace experience

To qualify for support from SBA CIC, the Home Energy Advisor working with Burnham & Weston Energy CIC will be Somerset-based and new to being self-employed. They will benefit from a fully funded, accredited programme designed to help them set up, run, and grow their business as a self-employed contractor. Update: SBA can now provide this support to our successfully appointed Home Energy Advisor no matter where they are based.

Anyone up to the age of 24 who secures a contract to work as a Home Energy Advisor with Burnham & Weston Energy CIC and who lives in Sedgemoor could also benefit from access to additional support as part of the CHOMP project. Another fully funded programme, benefits include learning how to organise and manage finances, produce a business plan, and develop their business with support from mentors and business advisors.