In 2009, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism coordinated a large energy-efficiency skills research project on Australia’s highest energy-using companies: the Long-term Training Strategy on Energy Efficiency Assessment Skills. This identified skills gaps and shortages that may be limiting their ability to fully realise their energy efficiency potential. Skills gaps and shortages were found within the trades sector, as well as in key professions such as engineering, accounting, business and management.

This document details roles and skills required to undertake, report on and implement the findings of rigorous energy efficiency assessments for large energy users. It is the result of research primarily based around the assessment requirements of the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program. The findings also have relevance for companies participating in state government energy assessment programs and other companies wishing to improve their energy efficiency performance.

This project was one of 3 project briefs developed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to investigate emergent issues around energy efficiency education in Australia.

This project was one of 3 project briefs developed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to investigate emergent issues around energy efficiency education in Australia.

In 2011, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism commissioned the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to conduct a small project to identify attributes and associated learning outcomes required by engineering graduates to work effectively on energy efficiency. RET then commissioned QUT, with in-kind support from Engineers Australia, to conduct consultation to obtain industry perspectives on the findings of its previous work. This document reports on that consultation process, which:

This document is intended as a preliminary guide to energy efficiency, discussing both interdisciplinary and discipline-specific (specialist) attributes identified as desirable in engineering graduates. It also outlines the knowledge and skills needed to establish these attributes (learning pathways).

A summary of the roles and responsibilities of key figures within a large organisation that are relevant to corporate energy management.

The positions for which these roles are summarised are:

• chief financial officers
• environmental health and safety professionals
• mechanical or electrical engineers
• technicians and tradespeople
• sustainability officers

Mercy Services provides in home and community support to various sectors of the community.  Environmental audits have spurred the organisation to make changes leading to a 16% reduction in gas usage and 23% in electricity usage (23,000 kWh) over a 5 year period. 

The objective of this scoping study was to examine the range of essential skills, knowledge and experience that specialist energy efficiency professionals require to provide energy efficiency and energy productivity services.