To electrify our buildings and make them more sustainable we need skills. In response to this and its ambitious program with solar rollouts across residential and now business roofs, Solar Victoria has an $11 million training and workforce development plan, which also includes training for plumbers to gain skills needed to install hot water heat pumps and solar hot water systems, technical mentoring, and support for licensed electrical inspectors.
As part of this it’s now launched its Upskilling for Electricians program, which provides free training for Victorian A-grade electricians and fourth year electrical apprentices to become accredited designers and installers of solar PV and battery storage systems.
Starting May 2024, the program will provide up to 400 applicants with fully subsidised training to meet growing consumer demands. After training, electricians can complete requirements to become an accredited installers and participate in the Solar Homes program.
Partners in Performance
Management consultants Partners in Performance has announced three promotions, including the election of two as its new Australia and New Zealand directors – Ben Thompson and Jane Algie.
Mr Thompson joined the firm in 2019 as an associate principal and has more than 20 years’ experience as a consultant, specialising in private equity, health care, universities, and manufacturing. He’s also got an interesting out of hours interest in Bridge and is the inaugural vice president and deputy chair of the World Bridge Federation, as well as holding the title of World International Master.
Ms Algie joined the firm in 2017 as a senior associate and has spearheaded various ethical leadership initiatives around the ANZ region, including women’s network, diversity and inclusion, and talent development programs – eventually becoming an associate principal in 2019 and partner in 2021.
Also in recent moves, associate principal Matthew O’Connor is now partner. He joined the company in 2014 from Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), focusing on projects in the transport and power sectors.
The company is Australian based and has 500 staff in seven offices globally. Its work specialises in advising businesses in how to manage their energy transformation obligations under the safeguard mechanism and with their digital strategy.
Plus Architecture
Plus Architecture has promoted nine people and appointed three new staff in its Sydney, Perth, and Hobart offices.
Director Ian Briggs said the moves will bolster the firm’s position in master planning, city making, multi-residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments while looking to expand into fields such as transport, infrastructure, health and wellness across APAC.
Promotions and appointments include Mark Ojascastro who has been promoted to principal after just recently joining the firm,
The firm has 190 staff across Australia and New Zealand with current works including the R. Iconic in Melbourne, the McCall Community Hub in Sydney and The Cullen in Brisbane.
Natural Hazards Research Australia
Professor Cheryl Desha, a leading environmental engineer from Griffith University, has been appointed the Natural Hazards Research Australia’s new Science and Innovation director.
Desha has specialised in resilient infrastructure and communities at the Cities Research Institute and founded Griffith’s Disaster Management Network. She also has a long history as the founder of the Queensland Disaster Resilience Alliance, a fellow chartered member of Engineers Australia, and a council member of the International Society of Digital Earth. She sits on the advisory board of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management group.
She was Engineers Australia’s Queensland Professional Engineer of the Year in 2021 by and awarded the Queensland government’s champion of change award.
NZ Green Building Council Award recognises flood resilience researcher
The New Zealand Green Building Council has recognised Widi Auliagisni as its 2024 future thinker of the year. The award is designed to acknowledge a student or young professional who demonstrates environmental knowledge and leadership and recognises their success and passions for green and better buildings and communities.
Ms Auliagisni is a PhD student in emergency and disaster management at Massey University and the assistant project manager at Beca. She completed a Master of Construction at Massey University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia.
Growing up in Indonesia, a country prone to various natural hazards, she developed a passion for resilient architecture and focused her research on the Northland district in New Zealand, where she worked closely with at-risk communities to enhance flood resilience.
“I have witnessed firsthand the resilience of communities facing adversity and advocate for collective action to build resilience from the ground up. This includes reevaluating building practices and fostering dialogue on the importance of protecting our floodplains. Remember, having a green and sustainable building is great, but this would not work if it were built in the wrong place,” Ms Auliagisni said.
The judges presented a second award – the emerging leader of 2024 to finalist Francisco Carbajal, in recognising his work in progressing and advocating for sustainable change in the built environment.