Eco-worries, Green Tradies and a warning

Sunday Age
Sunday 15/3/2009 Page: 1

Eco-worries and generous rebates mean tradespeople are learning important new skills. But what does it mean for householders? Michael Green reports.

VICTORIAN tradies are leading Australia's green skills revolution, making up more than half the workers accredited under two leading national training schemes, Green Plumbers and EcoSmart Electricians. That puts the state on the frontline of a huge practical transformation among Australia's skilled workers. "Demand for the 'green collar' trades is quite extraordinary," says Tony Amel, Victoria's Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner and Green Building Council of Australia chairman.

He estimates that in the past year alone, interest in sustainable plumbing has risen by about one-fifth. But this surge in interest doesn't translate to easier decision-making for consumers. With so many eco-choices and products, it's hard to be sure you're, getting the right advice. Besides, what exactly does a "green' tradie do differently? And what sort of training have they completed?

Mr Amel believes that tradespeople playa crucial role in translating sustainability issues into in-the-home solutions. Essentially they can become environmental advocates. "Tradies are at the coalface. More than anybody else in the domestic sector, they're in a position to influence the choice of consumers. They play a critical role." An expert green tradie will have thorough knowledge of the products available and the most efficient options for the client's situation.

Plumbers and electricians, in particular, can help existing householders make the most immediate improvements. Their expertise relates directly to water and electricity efficiency, from rainwater tanks and low-flow toilets to solar energy and low-energy lighting. But sustainability is a factor in every household job. Bart Scheen is a manager in the Building Industry Training Centre at Holmesglen TAFE. He says that eco-trailing is now a standard part of every apprenticeship. "When students are working with products, they really need to understand the impact of those products on the environment," he says.

According to Mr Scheen, that includes embodied energy (energy used in making the product) and the leftovers from the job. "There has been a common practice to calculate materials and allow for a 10% wastage," he says. "What we're trying to get into apprentices is that they have to take much more care in working out the quantities." The apprentices are proving enthusiastic about his message.

Research group Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) surveyed young tradies last year and found that nearly 90% of respondents were interested in been skills. "Unfortunately, they're being held back by older tradespeople," says DSF's Judy Turnbull. "They are really keen to provide green skills and knowledge to their clients but they're not being encouraged to do so by their employers." In the long term, the attitudes of younger tradies will make for a fundamental shift in the building industry.

In the meantime, although many established tradespeople aren't convinced that the public is sufficiently interested in sustainability, others have taken the enviro-plunge and been well-rewarded. "Some 'early adopters' have decided its a point of difference to provide green painting or building or carpentry" Ms Turnbull says. "They've seen the future. and when they've added a green bunch of skills they find themselves in great demand."

To help build eco-awareness among construction workers, DSF will soon launch a new website, Trade Secrets, where green tradies will be able to share their stories, tips and successes. To begin with, the organisation has posted more than a dozen videos of different green tradespeople on YouTube.

The current training gap is also a concern for the commissioner, Mr Amel. "There needs to be a lot more work going into the training of tradespeople," he says. 'Also, from a consumer point of view, these green credentials need to be verifiable. If you pick up the phone book and you've got green electricians and green plumbers, what does that mean? I describe it as the 'been veneer' - basically anybody can use the teen.

Consumers need to know whether or not there is any substance in a person's claim." He says that industry training programs such as GreenPlunbers, run by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association, are a good start. "They saw sustainability in buildings becoming a major challenge and opportunity. Now we need to take the next step (in training) because we've got to think about the way all the trades operate." For plumbers, the next step will be the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, which is being built in Brunswick.

The centre, jointly funded by the State Government and industry bodies and unions, will offer extensive train ing across all aspects of sustainable plumbing. It is scheduled to open next month. While greenwash - or the green veneer - hasn't yet become a severe problem in the construction industry, the state consumer watchdog, Consumer Affairs Victoria, has received more than 10 complains and about 45 inquiries about tradies offering to install solar panels and water tanks.

Some tradespeople are spruiking door-to-door, then demanding large payments up front while delaying installation. In some cases, the tradies also tried to increase the cost of solar energy systems after consumers had signed the contracts. "The best way for consumers to protect themselves from itinerant tradespeople is to deal with reputable, registered businesses in their area," says Consumer Affairs spokeswoman Emma Neal.

As with any building work, consumers should ask lots of questions, check with the relevant industry association and do as much research as they can. No matter what your green issue is, there's a wealth of information on the Internet. It's also wise to take simple precautions. "Never pay for anything upfront in cash," Ms Neal recommends. "Ask for a quote and a warranty in writing and ask to see references or ask friends or family if they've dealt with the company."