Overview of DOE’s National Weatherization Training and Technical Assistance Plan

Holly RaveslootU.S. Department of Energy

February 2010

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Plan Objectives

• Build a better, stronger WAP– Support WAP grantee Recovery Act program implementation– Build on WAP grantee best practices to create national

resources that raise the bar across the weatherization network

• Leverage WAP expertise and training infrastructure to lay the foundation for a national retrofit industry with ready access to a well-trained workforce and opportunities for worker mobility and career pathways

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Plan Structure

• Background/Vision• Tasks

– Projects– Milestones

• Appendices– Comparison of Training Methodologies– Weatherization Core Competencies– Milestone Summary Chart

Highlights

• National baseline technical curricula • National, technology-enabled training platform • Worker certification • Training accreditation/trainer certification • Training centers, train-the-trainer, peer mentoring• Targeted technical assistance• New advanced online audit tool • New web-based program management capability

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Plan Details

Task 2: Develop baseline technical training content and provide traditional training resources

• Project 2.1: Make available national WAP building science fundamentals

• Project 2.2: Develop standardized technical training content and traditional technical training materials

Expected Outcomes:• Analysis of WAP and related programs’ protocols and technologies• Weatherization training materials inventory and best practice

manuals for multiple climates • Standardized, comprehensive technical training content and

curricula (installer fundamentals and intermediate, mobile home installer, auditor, crew chief, train-the-trainer, technical monitor/inspector, supplemental modules for multi-family weatherization, heating and cooling systems, etc.)

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Task 3: Develop and deploy a national platform for weatherization training

• Project 3.1: Develop and deploy a national platform for weatherization training (NPWT); an enhanced, web-based learning and content management system to manage training records and facilitate access to web-based training (uses content developed in task 2; training includes 3-D simulations and immersive environments)

• Project 3.2: Provide outreach on the NPWT• Project 3.3: Provide training and technical assistance to support the

deployment and use of the NPWT

Expected Outcomes:• National, open-source, virtual learning system that rapidly accelerates the

pace and expands the availability of weatherization training • An easy-to-use set of tools and services that allows students and trainers to

create, use, share, continuously-update, and collaboratively-improve training materials, as well as safely maintain student training records

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Task 4: Support the creation or expansion of comprehensive weatherization training centers and/or programs

Partnerships to expand existing or develop new weatherization training

centers or programs that provide accelerated, holistic, standardized, and

multi-tiered weatherization training• Support regions with the greatest need• Provide a combination of classroom, online, and hands-on learning• Facilitate partnerships with existing vocational training resources• Use the standardized technical training content (task 2) and integrate

with the technology-enabled training system developed (task 3) to the greatest extent possible

Expected Outcome: Expanded national network of comprehensive

weatherization training centers/programs

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Task 5: Support weatherization train-the-trainer, peer-mentoring, and peer-exchange activities

• Project 5.1: Deploy train-the-trainer programs • Project 5.2: Support peer mentoring and peer exchange• Project 5.3: Establish a community of practice among weatherization

training providers

Expected Outcomes:• Expanded network of expert trainers• More “informal trainers” who teach through peer mentoring• Better opportunities for trainers to learn from each other, share best

practices and lessons learned

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Task 6: Develop national requirements for weatherization certification and accreditation standards

• Project 6.1: Develop and implement a national weatherization worker certification framework

• Project 6.2: Develop a national weatherization training accreditation and trainer certification program

Expected Outcomes:• National weatherization worker certification framework and program

in which WAP grantees must meet DOE criteria developed through a collaborative process

• National database that connects specific state certification requirements to training, allowing for worker mobility via career ladders and lattices

• National weatherization training accreditation and trainer certification programs that increase transparency of the training market and provide quality assurance to workers

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Task 7: Provide expert services, technical assistance, and training to directly support the WAP network

• Project 7.1: Deliver program operations training and technical assistance

• Project 7.2: Deliver fiscal/procurement training and technical assistance

• Project 7.3: Provide targeted technical assistance and training• Project 7.4: Provide Target Leveraging Assistance and Training

Expected Outcomes:• WAP programmatic and fiscal/procurement training materials

inventory and best practices documents • Procurement tool kit that clearly explains requirements and best

practices and related technical assistance• Expert technical assistance team to help grantees assess needs and

provide specialized training that can prevent problems before they occur

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Task 8: Support WAP grantee-directed pilots that advance the use of state-of-the-art technologies and protocols

• Project 8.1: Issue open call for projects • Project 8.2: Evaluate and incorporate project results into WAP

training and activities

Expected Outcomes:• Evaluation and confirmation of cost-effective weatherization

technologies and protocols• Web site that documents and broadly shares cost-effective

technologies and protocols• Mechanism for helping to ensure WAP procedures remain based on

sound and state-of-the-art building science

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Task 9: Conduct comprehensive WAP impact and process evaluations

• Project 9.1: Complete retrospective evaluation• Project 9.2: Complete Recovery Act evaluation

Expected Outcome: National, statistically-valid impact evaluations – (1) for 2006-2008, and (2) for the Recovery Act period – that describe the energy savings of weatherized households of different types in different regions as well as the relationship between program procedures, structure, and effectiveness

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Task 10: Develop and deploy an advanced online energy audit tool• Project 10.1: Provide ongoing grantee support of audit

protocols• Project 10.2: Maintain field versions of NEAT and MHEA • Project 10.3: Develop a new online auditing tool

Expected Outcomes:• An advanced, user-friendly, online audit tool that supports

a national database of retrofit measures with related costs and projected energy savings

• Increased availability and accessibility of WAP data and energy audit results

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Task 11: Develop and implement a National Online Weatherization Management Information System

• Project 11.1: Define scope of National Online Weatherization Management Information System

Expected Outcomes: • A web-based program management system, using the existing

WinSAGA/PAGE system as a core component, that covers most WAP work areas, from grantee and financial auditors to program and inventory managers, and from technical inspectors to field staff

• Increased efficiency and ease of reporting across the WAP network

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Task 12: Provide for other services required during WAP Recovery Act implementation

• Project 12.1: Support data acceptance, analysis, and reconciliation

• Project 12.2: Ensure quick response research/analysis on hot topics

• Project 12.3: Facilitate program implementation and function

Expected Outcomes:• Well-coordinated, seamless program operation• Rapid response capability

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Final Plan Location

• Full plan is available– www.eere.energy.gov/

weatherization/trainingplan.cfm

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Thank you

Questions?

www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/trainingplan.cfm