Energy Efficiency

Project objectives-

 Inspire- domestic energy efficiency and insulating schemes as the most economic way to save carbon

 Advise- low income households in energy saving techniques and insulation options

 Train- frontline staff, to enhance their careers with a ‘green’ qualification in domestic energy advice

At the mid point in the programme the project has researched and developed a new qualification in Energy Awareness to meet the requirements of frontline staff in housing and social care agencies. The training is aimed at providing the knowledge and skills needed to advise low income households on saving energy and, as a result, tackling fuel poverty in Cumbria. The qualification has been accredited at level 2 through the national awarding body, Ascentis. The specific added value is that this is a bespoke course based on a single day training to meet the needs of staff with very little time and low budgets for training.

Already 198 trainees have attended the courses and achieved the level 2 accreditation; the trainees have come from a variety of organisations in the region including housing associations, local councils, Age Concern, Action for Blind People, Action with Communities in Cumbria and sustainable groups.

In response to requests from those already trained, an enhanced course in energy efficiency has now been developed and is being offered to those frontline staff who support low income households.

From February 2011 the project has started working closely with Cumbria Action for Sustainability(CAfS for short), a Penrith based charity which inspires and enables community groups, households and businesses to take local action for environmental sustainability in Cumbria. CAfS recognise that In order  to respond to the government’s targets on carbon reduction and mitigation, driven by the threat of climate change and its associated costs, that a fast transition to a low carbon society is needed. Through a range of discussions, presentations and training events part funded by ESF through the GreenWays project, CAfS hope to enable the shift to a low carbon Cumbria.