Bglobal Plc : New Agreement for Nutech Training

Bglobal plc (AIM:BGBL), the leading provider of smart energy solutions and services to the UK energy market, is pleased to announce that one of its subsidiaries, Nutech Training, has entered into an agreement with Future Energy Solutions.

Nutech Training has signed a franchise agreement that will see Future Energy Solutions open a new training centre in the North East. The centre will operate under Nutech's accreditations which will allow it to provide dual fuel smart meter installation and other relevant training.

Future Energy Solutions has strong links in the North East with energy suppliers, local authorities and housing associations and the signing of the franchise agreement will facilitate Future Energy Solutions in upskilling engineers from those organisations ahead of the mass rollout of smart meters. As mentioned by Bglobal in previous statements, the timing of the rollout has been subject to delays and remains unclear, but energy suppliers recognise that they need to prepare for the rollout, and training their engineers is a key element of that preparation.

Over the next decade, thousands of skilled workers will be needed in the field to meet the Government's plans for a national roll-out of smart meters. Nutech has obtained accreditations from, amongst others, The National Skills Academy for Power ("NSAP") and BPEC and is one of only four institutions in the UK that is approved by NSAP for the provision of dual fuel smart meter installation training. It is therefore well placed to capitalise on the training opportunities that will arise over the coming years.

Neil Turner, managing director of Nutech Training, said: "There is still a massive shortage of qualified smart metering engineers needed to support the Government's plans. Even though the national roll-out has been delayed, this agreement with Future Energy Solutions provides an opportunity for the market to 'catch up' on the training needed.  We are now working to replicate this franchise agreement with other training providers across the UK."

Tim Cantle-Jones, managing director of Future Energy Solutions, said: "We're very excited to be working with Nutech Training and launching our smart meter training academy in the North East. We're confident that the partnership with Nutech will help us to quickly grow and develop our capability and deliver the skills that are needed as part of the smart metering roll-out."

Tim Jackson-Smith, CEO of Bglobal plc, said: "This recent development is welcome news for the Group. The launch of the Nutech Training franchise is a key milestone for the company and demonstrates the ability of Nutech to expand its capability across the UK without incurring significant one-off establishment costs. The agreement shows how we are continuing to develop and expand different areas of the Bglobal business whilst being mindful of the impact on our return on capital deployed."

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