8. Education and training

8.1 Energy Efficiency Training Program

The Energy Efficiency Training Program is delivered by the Office of Environment and Heritage NSW (OEH) and the Department of Education and Communities NSW (DEC). Over four years (2009-2013) the $20 million program intends to build the knowledge and skills of key tradespeople and professionals to:

• support improved energy efficiency practices, products and services
• support the development of a low carbon society in NSW
• foster innovation, workforce development and sustainable business growth.

Through OEH, the program:

• supports industry partnership projects that develop and deliver energy efficiency training and share the results with other organisations
• supports university 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.

Through DEC, the program:

• provides subsidies for Registered Training Organisations to deliver accredited courses in energy efficiency skills
• develops courses to update the energy efficiency knowledge of educators and trainers in the Vocational Education Training (VET) sector.

8.2 NSW Green Skills and Energy Efficiency Strategy

The Green Skills and Energy Efficiency Strategy offers subsidised training and support for businesses, individuals and training organisations to upgrade their sustainability and energy efficiency skills and knowledge.

 The Green Skills and Energy Efficiency Strategy subsidises accredited training that improves the environmental impacts of NSW business operations, products and services.

Training is available in key industries such as:

• building and construction
• property services
• manufacturing
• government
• hospitality and retail
• transport and storage
• energy and utilities
• agriculture

Subsidised training through this strategy is available for eligible participants until June 2013.