The Victorian Government is embarking on a program to upskill the state’s plumbing industry to meet the growing demand for household energy-efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems.
The new training program – which underwent a successful pilot in 2022 – is being delivered in partnership with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) and is part of Solar Victoria’s $11 million training and workforce development program, which aims to grow Victoria’s clean energy workforce.
Around 200 Victorian plumbers and fourth-year plumbing apprentices have registered for the course, which will run until November 2023.
“Victoria’s solar and renewable energy sector needs plumbing professionals with the right skills as demand for renewable energy installations increase, as we transition to a clean energy future,” says Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio (pictured above during a recent visit to PICAC).
“Our hot water rebate is just one of the ways we are helping Victorians save money on their energy bills and reduce emissions.”
Under the $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program, Victorians can claim a $1000 rebate to replace their hot water systems with solar hot water or energy efficient heat pump systems.
The number of households which claimed this rebate quadrupled in 2022.
Hot water is the second-largest consumer of household energy, and switching to solar or a heat pump can save households up to $400 a year on electricity bills.