Energy Efficiency Training Program

The Energy Efficiency Training Program ensures NSW has the skilled workforce necessary to implement energy efficient, more sustainable practices in industry, government and the community.

The four year, $20 million program provides energy efficiency training for key trades and professionals such as electricians, plumbers, facilities managers and engineers.

The Program also supports professional development for educators and will form partnerships with business to provide innovative training for their current workforce and to encourage uptake across an industry sector or supply chain.

The program:

• supports industry partnership projects that develop and deliver energy efficiency training and share the results with other organisations
• supports projects that develop and deliver energy efficiency education for the Higher Education sector
• undertakes research and evaluation to inform the planning, delivery and evaluation of innovative, targeted energy efficiency training
• provides subsidies for Registered Training Organisations to deliver accredited short courses in energy efficiency skills
• develops courses to update the energy efficiency knowledge of educators and trainers in the Vocational Education Training (VET) sector.

Thirty-one carbon reduction and energy efficiency training projects are being funded by the Energy Efficiency Training Program, as at March 2011.

These projects will involve:

• training managers and other staff to make business operations, products or services more energy efficient and less carbon intensive
• customising or developing specific courses that are practical and effective for staff and businesses
• measuring the benefits of the training to staff and businesses
• sharing the results and benefits of the training with other organisations.

The Energy Efficiency Training Program supports the development and delivery of higher education courses that can improve energy efficiency knowledge and practice.

This includes work with universities and professional associations to ensure key sectors have access to professional development, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Target professions include:

• business managers and accountants
• educators and trainers
• architects 
• engineers.

The most recent funding round, in April 2011, was to develop courses for accountants and business managers.

Two energy efficiency training education projects for engineers are also currently being funded by the Energy Efficiency Training Program.

The Energy Efficiency Training Program will inform the development and delivery of energy efficiency training strategies through targeted research, which includes:

• Energy Efficiency Training Needs Analysis of the Commercial Property Sector
• Research and Needs Analysis into the Professional Development Needs of University Lecturers in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Knowledge and Skills
• Research and Needs Analysis of Current NSW University Masters Programs in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development to incorporate Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Knowledge and Skills.

The effectiveness and efficiency of the Energy Efficiency Training Program is being monitored and evaluated by an independent evaluator. The Energy Efficiency Training for Trades and Professionals Program, now known as the Energy Efficiency Training Program commenced 1 July 2009. Program evaluation commenced mid 2010.

For more information:

• Energy Efficiency Training Program:
  Office of Environment and Heritage website | Department of Education and Communities website
• Call Business Partnerships on (02) 8837 6000
• Email sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au