Green Home Loans to Create Green Jobs

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects will expand its training role to focus on creating 150 new Green Jobs by training household Sustainability Assessors.

Robert Caulfield

Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said the training was aimed at providing qualified assessors for the Australian Government Green Home Loans program across Australia which was announced today.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced the Green Loans program will involve a team of 1,000 assessors providing advice to 360,000 home owners on what they can do to be more energy efficient.

Under the program many assessments to improve household energy efficiency could be straightforward, but others could be more costly.

The Government will make loans of up to $10,000 available to meet those costs.

Archicentre will commence to run training courses every State within a couple of weeks and offer an entry into the expanding green jobs market.

Households will need to engage a qualified Household Sustainability Assessor to investigate their current energy and water use and provide recommendations and advice. Households may then have access to a low interest Green Loan.

The assessment fee will be paid by the Federal Government and is $150 to $275 per assessment.

Mr. Caulfield said in order to become an Assessor, individuals must complete a professional course and Archicentre can now offer this course to industry and individuals.

"This course is ideally suited to people involved in building design, documentation or construction, building assessments, energy audits, and people involved with building materials or building-related services.

"The training program for Household Sustainability Assessors is a natural progression of Archicentre's business which helps over 20,000 people purchase or renovate their homes every year.

"With sustainability being a major trend in renovation and with the current economic climate we see an increased number of people applying for low interest Green Loans and it is vital that there are enough Household Sustainability Assessors to assist home owners," Mr Caulfield said.

Media Enquiries:
Robert Caulfield Managing Director Archicentre Mobile: 0412 381 306
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201

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