$6m fund to train Singapore energy managers

Straits Times 19 Sep 08;

INDIVIDUALS whose jobs involve managing the energy resources of their companies or factories may now draw on a $6 million grant set aside for their training and certification.

The National Environment Agency (NEA), which put up the money, hopes that structured training for these professionals - facilities operations managers or engineers and consultants - will raise the level of energy efficiency, which would in turn reduce global warming and save money for companies.

Degree holders who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents and with at least one year of relevant working experience qualify for the grant.

It will offset more than three-quarters of the fee for the Singapore Certified Energy Manager training programme, which can cost up to $7,000.

Administered by the NEA and the Institution of Engineers, the 144-hour programme comprises six modules.

Since it was rolled out in 2006, it has drawn 60 takers, but nobody has completed it yet. Future intakes of students will be given a year to finish the training.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said certified professionals in energy management will push for energy- and cost-saving practices in their respective companies, so energy efficiency can become a key strategy in mitigating climate change.

NEA aims to have 1,000 people trained in the field over the next two to four years.

ANG YIYING

NEA announces S$6m grant to train energy managers
Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia 18 Sep 08;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Thursday announced a training grant of S$6 million to co-fund course fees for training professional energy managers.

The money aims to help build up a local pool of 1,000 energy managers to be trained professionally over the next two to four years.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources announced the grant at a seminar on enhanced energy efficiency by management.

To be eligible for the grant, potential candidates must sign up for the professional Singapore Certified Energy Manager Training Programme, which is jointly administered by the NEA and the Institution of Engineers under an SCEM Monitoring Committee.

Those interested to become a professional energy manager can now look forward to a subsidised, one-time fee of S$1,000 for a full training programme on energy management.- CNA/yb