The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is launching FMB Certification, a registration and certification service, delivered to its members via a new agreement with the NAPIT Group Limited. The agreement will see FMB’s high standards of customer service and workmanship allied with NAPIT’s commitment to the highest standards of competency for the first time. FMB has joined up with NAPIT in order to take advantage of its existing expertise and authorisations as a UKAS accredited Certification Body. This new collaboration will allow FMB to offer their members a complete solution to competency and enable NAPIT to expand its schemes, in partnership with the UK’s largest trade association in the building sector. FMB Certification will allow FMB members to take advantage of NAPIT’s ‘complete solution’, covering; Green Deal, Microgeneration, and Competent Person Schemes. Commenting on this landmark agreement Managing Director of NAPIT Certification, David Cowburn, said: “We are delighted to form a partnership with FMB. NAPIT have always tried to find ways of making access to certification and registration more effective and less bureaucratic. By managing this process FMB will ensure that their members can achieve the benefits of the Green Deal, Microgeneration Certification and Building Regulations Competent Person Schemes. The skills and knowledge that householders and other customers will need to rely on under these schemes are the backbone of the new FMB Certification services, delivered in conjunction with NAPIT. With the Green Deal fast approaching, firms with the relevant approvals should now be well placed to take full advantage of what promises to be a significant opportunity.” Crucially, this new deal means FMB members will now be able to take advantage of NAPIT’s authorisation for Green Deal Installer certification when the Government’s flagship policy, set to revolutionise the energy efficiency of UK homes, hits the building industry in October 2012. Green Deal represents a great opportunity to get involved in a policy which, the DECC predict, will support up to 60,000 jobs in the insulation sector alone by 2015 and transform over 14 Million homes by 2020. This new policy looks set to drive growth in the UK energy market, creating work in the building industry and new opportunities for tradesmen in both the domestic and commercial sector. FMB Certification will start to process applications from September 2012. Businesses can pre-register their interest now to receive a priority application pack, without any obligation, by visiting www.fmb.org.uk/certification, emailing certification@fmb.org.uk or calling 020 7092 3881