Minister Harris launches free online energy reduction course
As energy costs have risen, we all need to keep a handle on them as best we can.
Recently a new online course developed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was launched called Energy & You: Reduce Your Use.
The free 90 minute course was developed in partnership with eCollege, the national online learning service for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, funded by SOLAS.
Welcoming the launch of Energy & You: Reduce Your Use, Minister for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, Simon Harris said: “This new online course is a really important tool, which will empower people with the knowledge they need to save energy and reduce their bills too.
“This initiative will bring the necessary expertise to the public in an accessible format, completely free of charge through the eCollege learning platform. We all have a role to play and this course will offer people the tools they need to drive down the cost of their bills and help save our planet."
Energy & You: Reduce Your Use provides bill payers with practical tips and information to encourage new energy saving habits in their homes and businesses that will help to reduce their energy bills and minimise their impact on climate change. More information can be found at https://www.ecollege.ie/courses/energy-you-reduce-your-use/
Delivered in a flexible online learning format through eCollege, free of charge, learners can complete the course on their own schedule. Key course modules include Energy & Climate Change, Electricity Bill Analysis, Oil & Gas Bill Analysis, Lighting Efficiency, Home Energy Challenge, Electric Vehicles and Eco-Driving.
This course forms part of a broader suite of national Green Skills programmes designed to progress the green transition in the FET sector and support climate action in Ireland.
These include NZEB (Near Zero Energy Building) construction training, the Skills to Advance initiative which provides subsidised upskilling and reskilling opportunities to extend career opportunities in the green economy, as well as updating the current FET provision to include Green Skills modules.
SOLAS CEO, Andrew Brownlee added: “This eCollege course marks an important step towards achieving Ireland’s ambitious Climate Action Plan and reinforces our commitment to embed Green Skills firmly into the national FET offering. It is a key part of our pledge that every FET learner will develop sustainability skills and understanding to allow them to serve as agents of future change across society.
“Our partnership with SEAI has given us the opportunity to bring their expertise in sustainable energy to consumers at a national level, completely free of charge. Learners across the country will be equipped with the practical skills and information gained from this online course to play their part in mitigating climate change.”
Programme Manager for Business and Industry at SEAI, Dearbhla Stapleton concluded: “We are delighted to partner with eCollege to bring Energy & You: Reduce Your Use nationwide, which has the potential to help deliver energy savings and emission reductions across the country. Homeowners and business owners alike will gain many practical tips on how to reduce their energy bills through expert course content developed by the SEAI, helping them to establish new energy saving habits when it comes to heating, electricity and transport. We can all do our bit to reduce our energy use, while staying warm, well and safe.”