OFTEC partners with Which? Trusted Traders

Who is OFTEC and what does it do?

OFTEC is a non-profit trade organisation. It was established in 1991 in Suffolk, but now operates throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The association primarily represents businesses working in the liquid fuel heating sector, however, it has also created a registration system for tradespeople.

The certification program was the first to be formally recognised as a competent person scheme by the British government and promotes the highest professional and technical standards for technicians.

Ultimately, this helps consumers find trustworthy, competent tradespeople to install heating services.

OFTEC has relationships with over 100 training centres who offer its training.

How does joining OFTEC benefit traders?

Joining OFTEC helps traders enhance their professional reputation, save on administrative costs, access technical support, and increase business opportunities.

Key benefits include:

• Demonstrate competence: OFTEC registration showcases a trader's professionalism and technical skills to potential customers. This is reinforced through certificates, identity badges, van stickers, and the use of the OFTEC logo, offering credibility and trustworthiness.
• Self-certification: Registered members can self-certify their installation work, saving time and money by bypassing the need for building control inspections and building notices.
• Increased business opportunities: free listing on OFTEC’s "Find a Technician" search tool, helps registered traders gain visibility and secure more work.
• Access to technical support: Members benefit from free technical advice, publications, and access to exclusive resources through the 'technician hub', enhancing their knowledge and skills.
• Qualification for funding schemes: Some funding schemes require OFTEC registration, giving traders access to work that they might otherwise be excluded from.
• Discounted membership of Which? Trusted Trader: OFTEC members get 50% off Which? Trusted Trader memberships for the first six months

How does the registration and certification work?

OFTEC’s registration process is designed to maintain high levels of competence and consumer confidence by ensuring technicians continually meet industry standards throughout their careers.

Here’s how it works:

• Training: The process begins with technicians undergoing necessary training to acquire the required skills and knowledge in the heating industry.
• Application for registration: After completing training, technicians apply for OFTEC registration.
• Initial inspection: OFTEC assigns an inspector who visits the technician’s business and inspects an installation they have completed. This inspection ensures that the work complies with industry standards and regulations.
• Continued inspections: For the first two or three years, technicians undergo regular inspections to confirm that their work continues to meet the required standards.
• Relaxed inspection regime: If, after the initial period, OFTEC is satisfied with the technician’s consistent performance, the inspection regime becomes less frequent, though it still continues.
• Renewal every five years: Technicians must renew their training and undergo an inspection process every five years to maintain their registration and certification.
• Addressing issues: If any problems or deficiencies are found during inspections, the technician must correct them, after which OFTEC imposes stricter inspections until they are confident the technician is adhering to proper practices.

What are the benefits of OFTEC for consumers?

OFTEC's vision is for all consumers to have safe and efficient heating. To achieve this, it by works with manufacturers of heating equipment, training providers, UKAS, LABC and other industry experts.

By using an OFTEC-registered technician, consumers can be confident that the technician is well-trained, has passed rigorous inspections, and works according to approved industry standards and building regulations.

OFTEC-registered technicians can self-certify their work, meaning there is no need for costly and time-consuming inspections by local building control officers. This saves consumers both time and money.

While servicing and repairs are not covered by building regulations, OFTEC-registered businesses follow set procedures to ensure heating systems are checked and maintained properly, providing an extra layer of assurance for consumers.

OFTEC also ensures that registered businesses follow good ethical business practices, including having complaints procedures in place to protect consumers if problems arise. Consumers can trust that OFTEC has vetted the businesses they register, ensuring technicians are qualified, competent, and up-to-date with regulations. This gives peace of mind that the work done in their homes will be safe and efficient rather than carried out by someone who may be untrained and potentially incompetent.

How is OFTEC addressing renewables and green energy?

OFTEC has several key initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to low-carbon heating solution.

The association advocates for a flexible approach to decarbonisation, encouraging the adoption of a range of viable solutions such as renewable liquid fuels, heat pumps, solar thermal, and photovoltaic (PV) technologies. This includes hybrid systems that combine different technologies, such as heat pumps with renewable liquid fuel boilers.

A major part of OFTEC’s strategy involves promoting Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a renewable liquid fuel. Its research shows that HVO can reduce carbon emissions by up to 88% and can be used in existing oil heating systems with minimal modifications. This provides a less disruptive alternative to technologies like heat pumps.

OFTEC is calling for tax reductions on HVO and renewable fuel incentives to make the oil more affordable. It has also expanded its training and certification to include biomass and heat pumps. Over 1,000 technicians have completed heat pump training in the past year.

How does OFTEC work with Which? Trusted Traders?

Members of OFTEC will get 50% off their monthly Which? Trusted Trader fees for their first six months.

Malcolm Farrow, head of public affairs at OFTEC said:

"We were attracted to working with Which?  because of their brand and the huge value that consumers place on it. This partnership is an opportunity to give the technicians that register with the OFTEC competent person scheme the opportunity to access Which? Trusted Traders and increase their exposure to potential customers really by showing that they're committed to the very highest levels of customer service and reputable trading.

“Many consumers are familiar with the OFTEC brand already and understand what that means, but there will be some for whom the Which? brand gives them an increased sense of reassurance that they're working with the very best technicians available.”

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