Green skilling your staff

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Many NSW businesses are already looking at ways to green skill their workforce.

You can find examples of what businesses are doing to reduce their environmental impact in the farming, tourism & hospitality, building and construction, printing, clerical & office, transport & logistics.

What you need to know

The issues of climate change, sustainability and carbon reduction are the environmental challenges business faces now and into the future. Green training can help the business community to meet these challenges. You can find out about the impact of a low carbon economy on Australian business from the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change.

For other background information visit the links in our resources section.

How to green skill your staff

The need for Green Skills affects all businesses and their staff, from an office worker who needs to know which products they use are recyclable, through to an electrician who needs the skills to correctly install the latest energy efficient device.

There are five main options for getting your staff green skilled.

  1. Vocational Education and Training (VET) – this is a form of training provided by government backed agencies like TAFE and private organisations know as Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These bodies provide training which is accredited, and the qualifications gained are recognised across Australia. You can use our course finder tool to find green training delivered in your area.

  2. Industry Associations – these deliver training which is recognised by their industry, and may be accredited, and nationally recognised. They are also a good first stop for information. Many hold information sessions on what training is available, and what green skills programs they run.

  3. Group Training Organisations (GTO) – work with employers to employ apprentices and trainees, and to organise their training. Many specialise in a particular industry, like plumbing or electrical. The qualifications your workers will gain is a nationally recognised qualification.

  4. Private Consultants – can provide in-house training for your staff and will tailor it for your needs. The training they provide may or may not be accredited, or recognised by industry bodies.

  5. Recognition of Prior Learning – your staff may already have sets of skills that they have learned, that with a little more effort can be turned into a recognised qualification.

Course Finder

To find environmental vocational education and training courses on offer in your area, we have developed a Course Finder that can help you locate training that is specific to your industry.

Where is help available

There are many support programs and tools to help you to green your business. Try our resource area as a starting point.

There is also a star rating system for Registered Training Organisations set up by the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence that might help you assess which RTO you wish to use.

National Trade Licensing System

At the moment, various occupational trades have different licencing requirements in different states across Australia. In 2008, all states agreed with the federal government that there will be a national system applying to the following occupations:

  • air conditioning
  • refrigeration mechanic
  • building
  • electrical
  • land transport
  • maritime
  • plumbing
  • property agent.

Most licences will require staff to have accredited (and soon nationally recognised) training qualifications. Your industry association can assist you in finding the appropriate licencing body.

For residential building in NSW trade licencing is handled by the Department of Fair Trading

Small business now has a new way to save money and energy

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (DECCW) has a new program that helps small business to lower their power bills and carbon pollution.

The Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program provides personalised energy assessments, tailored action plans and rebates of up to $5,000 for making energy efficiency improvements that both save money and reduce carbon pollution.

You can take part if your business spends up to about $20,000 a year on electricity or employs around 10 people.

For more information and to register
Visit: environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: the Environment Line 1300 361 967

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