VICTORIA - The Province is providing $720,000 for training and education programs that support energy efficiency, announced Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

"To achieve the BC Energy Plan's goals for conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy, we need skills training solutions," said Neufeld. "Funding these projects will help British Columbians become schooled and skilled in energy efficiency technologies, strategies and systems."

Some of the student and industry professional programs to which the Ministry has contributed are:

* Douglas College - $175,000 for the Environment Systems Program.
* Malaspina College - $50,000 for a technologist-level training program for geo-exchange systems and energy efficient buildings.
* The Building Owners and Managers Association of British Columbia - $135,000 to develop an online energy efficiency curriculum for building engineers.
* The Canadian Homebuilders Association of BC - $50,000 for a new builder training course on energy efficient construction and Built Green standards. With its regional chapters, the Canadian Homebuilders Association of BC will receive an additional $25,000 to create energy efficiency demonstration projects.
* GeoExchange BC - $100,000 for a new heating and cooling technology installation training program.

The government funding comes from the $11-million Opportunities Envelope program announced in July 2006, which is supplemented by $85 million in funds from utilities, exemptions for energy efficient products from the provincial sales tax, and Provincial contributions.