LAPSE:2023.34358
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.34358
Energy Efficiency Education and Training: Australian Lessons on What Employers Want—Or Need
Alan Pears
April 25, 2023
This paper explores current approaches and future directions for energy efficiency education and training in the tertiary sector. Energy efficiency is a significant element in many jobs across the economy, with potential for substantial growth. It crosses disciplinary boundaries, as the range of skills and knowledge required by practitioners is broad, reflecting the diversity and expanding range of work roles that require energy efficiency skills and knowledge. Limitations of education and training contribute to a situation where business and consumer decision-making often involves little or no consideration of energy, so outcomes are often sub-optimal. This increases costs, environmental and social impacts and undermines productivity improvement. As the significance of energy efficiency skills and knowledge in workplaces increases, more flexible and varied education and training models are needed to allow workers to upskill, gain new skills and integrate energy efficiency into business models. The paper discusses the barriers to adoption of more comprehensive energy efficiency content in programs and presents options for inclusion. The paper concludes that, in order to capture the potential of energy efficiency to contribute to a productive, sustainable economy, appropriate teaching resources and certification must be developed and introduced across most disciplines, while employers and recruitment consultants must be informed of the benefits, so they value energy efficiency skills and qualifications.
Keywords
cross-disciplinary, education, efficiency, employers, employment, Energy, productivity, training
Suggested Citation
Pears A. Energy Efficiency Education and Training: Australian Lessons on What Employers Want—Or Need. (2023). LAPSE:2023.34358
Author Affiliations
Pears A: Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia; Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne, Carlton 3053, Australia
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
13
Issue
9
Article Number
E2386
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-05-10
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
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Original Submission
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PII: en13092386, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.34358
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doi:10.3390/en13092386
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Apr 25, 2023
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CC BY 4.0
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