Following the nationwide rollout of smart meters in UK homes, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London is launching an academy to train students how to install them.

The Smart Meter Installation Academy will specialise in training apprentices and students in meter-testing and maintenance, risk assessment, codes of practice, and health and safety regulations, as well as in how to install them.

Based at the college’s Tottenham Centre, the academy offers a 14-month apprenticeship in intermediate smart meter installation, or a 14-week ‘dual fuel smart meter installer’ short course.

The government wants to install 50 million smart gas and electric meters by 2020, to keep track of energy usage in real time in homes and commercial premises.

“This exciting new project will provide hundreds of employment opportunities in the foreseeable future and longer term, as smart meters are introduced across the country,” said Jackie Chapman, director of employability and employer engagement at the college.

The academy, which is run in partnership with Nationwide Training Services, will have its official opening on October 5.