BCU students to become paid energy advisers in fight against fuel poverty

Birmingham City University students are to be trained as paid energy advisers, helping fellow students, staff and local households cut their bills and keep their homes warmer, under a new scheme to tackle fuel poverty.

The university has partnered with Students Organising Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) on the Student Energy Advice Network, known as SEAN. Funded by the Energy Redress Scheme, the project aims to tackle fuel poverty, improve people's understanding of energy, and develop the next generation of green-skilled professionals.

Students Organising Sustainability UK is a charity that works with students and universities on sustainability, while the Energy Redress Scheme distributes money paid by energy companies that have breached the rules to projects that help energy consumers, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

Free, personal advice

Trained student energy advisers will give free, personalised support to fellow students, university staff and people in the wider community.

Their advice will cover practical ways to save energy, how to understand bills and tariffs, how to make homes more comfortable, and how to reduce household energy use.

Paid jobs and real skills

The project will create paid jobs and development opportunities for students, who will receive specialist training from the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action.

Mark Hopkins, Senior Sustainability Officer at BCU, said: "Over the next two years, we hope the project will support thousands of households to save energy, reduce costs and improve their understanding of energy efficiency.

"We also expect this programme to have significant benefits for the students who are recruited into these paid positions, and we're excited to see the career skills they develop in these roles."

The university says the scheme reflects its Strategy 2030, which aims to develop talent and support prosperity in local communities.

National Energy Action is the national fuel poverty charity, and its training is widely used by people who give energy advice in communities across the country.

When it starts

Recruitment for the student energy adviser roles is expected to begin in November 2026, with Student Energy Advice Centres opening shortly afterwards.

Why it matters

Many households in Birmingham struggle to keep their homes warm and pay their energy bills, particularly in older, poorly insulated housing. Students living in rented accommodation often face the same pressures, sometimes without knowing what help is available or how to read their bills.

Independent, practical advice can make a real difference: switching to a better tariff, using heating controls properly or making small changes around the home can all help. At the same time, the students giving that advice will gain experience in a growing field, as the country works towards cleaner, more efficient homes.