This Level 2 course in the Home Performance Advisor training programme is being held in Dunedin  from 9-11 November.

Although you may have already completed this yourselves, please pass the information on to any others who may benefit from it.

This Level 1 course in the Home Performance Advisor programme is being held in Dunedin on 21 October.

Most of you will have done this, but if you know others who would benefit, please let them know.

The course is particularly sparking interest from those in the health professions, recognising the links between housing and health.

The Certificate in Home Energy Awareness is a Level 1 course designed to help professionals and volunteers working with households to become better equipped to support their clients to achieve a healthy home.

In this one-day course, participants will become aware of the main components of a healthy home and key issues related to energy use in New Zealand homes. Course participants will also learn when and where to refer clients to other services.

Please note, this course is a pre-requisite to the Home Performance Advisor course.  A discount applies to those registering for both courses at the same time.

For more information visit www.homeperformanceadvisor.org.nz

The Home Performance Advisor (HPA) training programme is a pathway for practitioners to become highly competent and effective advisors.

Certification helps New Zealanders know who to trust for high quality, independent, personalised advice to help them improve the performance of their homes and their quality of life. It also allows qualified advisors to demonstrate their competency and professional standards.

Eligibility for the course

To be eligible for the Home Performance Advisor programme a candidate must meet the following pre-requisites and be able to demonstrate that they subscribe to the core principles and approach (as outlined below), and will reflect its intent in their practice. To be eligible for the course, you must:

1.  Have passed the Certificate in Home Energy Awareness (level I) – [see April training dates]
2.  Be able to demonstrate that the business model you work with is based around providing clients with independent advice guided by a balanced assessment of the house and recommendations of actions that are appropriate in the situation,
3.  Confirm that you are prepared to comply with the Code of Conduct if you pass the course and seek certification, (click  on the following link for the HPA code of conduct)
4.  Confirm that you are prepared to meet the requirements for on-going certification and professional development. (click on the following link for the HPA certification and professional development requirements)

The Home Performance Advisor training programme has been developed by a group a not-for-profit organisations through a collaborative initiative called the Practitioners’ Hub[1]. The training reflects the core principles of the Practitioners’ Hub and an agreed approach to providing advice.

This is the inaugural HPA level one training course.

The Certificate in Home Energy Awareness is designed to help professionals and volunteers working with households to become better equipped to support their clients to achieve a healthy home. In this one-day course participants will become aware of the main components of a healthy home and key issues related to energy use in New Zealand homes. Course participants will also learn when and where to refer clients to other services.

Course outline

The Certificate in Home Energy Awareness introduces participants to the following topics targeted to someone in their role:

• Household energy use in New Zealand including the main ways energy is used in a home, different fuel types, healthy indoor temperatures, electricity prices and fuel poverty,
• Key elements that contribute to a healthy home: Reducing heating loss, adequate heat, and moisture management (i.e. moisture control and ventilation), and describes some key principles of and common solutions to each,
• Hot water heating, energy efficient appliances and lighting
  • Understanding power bills and retail ‘switching’
  • Other services and where else to get help.

Participants are required to demonstrate their comprehension of the course content through an open book test at the conclusion of the course.

Who should attend this course?

The Certificate in Home Energy Awareness is targeted towards to the following two groups of practitioners:

1. People who work with households on health, social and environmental issues that are related to housing performance, and whose role will be enhanced by greater awareness of the relationship between energy, housing and health, and
2. People who wish to pursue a career as a certified Home Performance Advisor and need to attain foundational knowledge and meet the pre-requisites for Certified Home Performance Advisor (level II).  NB:  it is possible for those with significant experience in home performance and energy advice to take the Certificate in Home Energy Awareness (level I) test without having to take the course.   Passing the test will give eligibility to the HPA (level II) programme.   Please see the Certificate in Home Energy Awareness registration form for this option.

It is expected that people who fall into the first category may work for the following types of organisations or do the following types of roles:

• Social housing providers (including Housing New Zealand staff),
• City council and Local Authority staff involved in housing or environmental health,
• Public health professionals (e.g. nurses, outreach staff),
• Community-based organisations involved in housing, environment and health,
• Iwi-based organisations involved in housing, environment and health,
• Energy retail/lines company call centres,
• Insulation installers and other energy efficiency businesses