Certified training for home performance advice

Media Release: Certified training for home performance advice

Anyone advising homeowners on making their homes warmer, drier, healthier and more efficient can now become certified through the new Home Performance Advisor training programme.

The programme provides intensive science-based training to gain a comprehensive understanding of how a house functions as well as how to translate this into relevant information to Kiwis.

It takes participants through two levels: the Certificate in Home Energy Awareness, and the Home Performance Advisor Certification. The courses train advisors to provide a full assessment, diagnosis and recommendation based on the needs of the client.

“The Home Performance Advisor programme fills a gap,” says manager Jo Wills, “by upskilling advisors with independent and robust information, and taking a whole of house approach to home performance”

“We know high quality and unbiased advice is important for homeowners. Certified advisors are committed to independent advice and homeowners can rely on their knowledge and skills.”

Dunedin Cosy Homes’ Scott Willis was one of the earliest certified advisors. “I’d been working in the home energy management space for years, but the HPA training was a real refresher and reinvigoration of my knowledge - just like opening the cupboards and airing the place out. Now I’m able to guarantee professionalism in our Home Performance Assessment programme, and actively contribute to the Cosy Homes mission of ensuring ‘Every home in Dunedin is warm and cosy by 2025’.”

Advisors work anywhere from community trusts, to neighbourhood organisations, to energy efficiency advice.

The programme’s success has been recognised by organisations such as Community Energy Network, Cosy Homes, Christchurch City Council’s Build Back Smarter service, and district health boards which are sending staff on the courses to develop their competence in advising on home performance.

The next Level 1 Certificate in Home Energy Awareness course is being held in Dunedin, 21st October 2015 with the Level 2 Home Performance Advisor Certification course 9th – 11th November 2015. Registration deadline 25th September 2015. More information is available here: www.beaconpathway.co.nz/further-research/article/home_performance_advisor_training

Contact Jo Wills, info@homeperformanceadvisor.org.nz to register.

The Home Performance Advisor programme is a collaborative, not-for profit initiative by Beacon Pathway, Community Energy Network and the Toimata Foundation.

ENDS

About the Home Performance Advisor programme

The Home Performance Advisor training programme is aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of whole of house resource efficiency advice to New Zealanders, and improving house performance and the quality of life of New Zealanders.

The programme is underpinned by three principles: advice and recommendations are independent, based on science and best practice and be in the best interests of the client.

Developed by Beacon Pathway, The Toimata Foundation and Community Energy Network, through a uniquely collaborative initiative, the certification programme delivers to two major outcomes:
1. A pathway for practitioners to develop competency as effective residential energy and resource efficiency advisors, with a specific focus on existing housing stock.
2. The resulting certification provides a foundation of expertise and ethics to assist New Zealand householders, tenants and landlords to know who to trust for high quality, independent, personalised advice to help them improve the performance of their homes and investments and as well as quality of life for those residing.

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