British Gas will create 2,600 jobs to implement the roll-out of smart meter technology.

British Gas has revealed plans to create up to 2,600 new “green” jobs by 2012, as the roll-out of smart meter technology across the UK takes effect.

The announcement came as the Centrica-owned company opened the latest training site for its Energy Academy in Leicester. The latest addition means it now has five training sites across the UK – based in Dartford, Thatcham, Leeds, Hamilton and Leicester – and over 5,000 apprentice engineers have already successfully achieved qualifications equivalent to NVQ Level 3.

The Energy Academy trains British Gas engineers and will include the smart energy experts who will install British Gas smart meters going forward.

Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said: “Today’s announcement of 2,600 new jobs by 2012 shows we are creating skilled green jobs in Britain and training the experts who will help customers become more energy efficient in the future.

“At our new British Gas Energy Academy in Leicester we are investing in the people, the skills and technologies of the future.”

The Government unveiled plans at the beginning of May for smart meters – which should bring an end to estimated bills - to be installed in every home in Britain by the end of 2020, and Mr Bentley said that the utilities firm was leading the roll-out of the new technology. 

The new roles will be created across several areas including 2,100 smart energy experts, 400 supporting team members and 130 managerial staff, and they are in addition to the 1,500 skilled green jobs British Gas announced earlier in the year.