The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has launched a tender worth £100,000 aimed at boosting energy efficiency skills in businesses. The competition will see training providers bid to apply for a share of the prize to provide training to individuals with responsibility for energy usage in business and industrial premises.
Due to commence in the first quarter of 2013, the schemes will offer energy management training to those with direct responsibility for energy usage, but who are perhaps non-experts in energy, such as facilities managers.
According to an official statement from DECC, “A number of studies have demonstrated that there is a gap between the projected energy use of non-domestic buildings as determined at the design phase and the actual energy use of buildings once in operation. Factors contributing to this gap in energy performance can sometimes relate to inappropriate operation or insufficient maintenance of technology such as heating and cooling systems”
Significantly, the government has also recognised the need to educate businesses about the benefits of reducing energy demand in the commercial and industrial sectors – and raise awareness of energy management.
“DECC’s primary intention in making this fund available is to improve energy efficiency in training participants’ workplaces; stimulate the market for energy efficiency training and raise the profile of energy and energy management within organisations,” the department said in a statement. “A key goal in pursuing these priorities is to increase the number of non-expert individuals who are trained in energy efficiency,” it added.
Proposals must be submitted to DECC by 4 January 2013. Further information here.