Program Commencement
Initially, company participants’ energy issues and needs were identified to determine the current level of energy management, and to tailor suitable support to improve capability. This helped to ensure engagement throughout their organisations, and determine the best support approach for each company.
For those identified as needing an energy audit these were arranged through the concurrent SV energy audit grant.
Metropolitan and regional ideas generation workshops were held for participants to provide sufficient opportunity for sharing within group and individual tailored conversations. The workshops focussed on:
- introductions relating to participants, facilitators, program structure and objectives
- the strategic context of the program - an overview of energy efficiency in manufacturing, energy pricing trends, energy management, challenges facing the manufacturing sector, needs for capability building, importance of engraining energy efficiency principles in strategic objectives
- current opportunities for improvement – findings from previous energy audits, internal discussions, roles and responsibilities
- overcoming barriers – discussion on what is preventing these opportunities from being realised (funding, resources, time, information, corporate structure)
- determining the need for an energy audit, through an SV grant for eligible companies
- the commencement of the development of Company Capability Development Plans for final determination with management
- outlining of Plans of Action to prioritise ideas implementation, focusing on quick win, short payback opportunities and practical solutions.
Following the workshops, arrangements for the consultants to come on-site, communicate online and via phone were made to provide mentorship and coaching.
One on One Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring support and coaching was provided to instil energy efficiency capability within organisations for long lasting improvements. This support was tailored to the specific business and their needs, and involved the development and implementation of two plans:
Project Action Plan - focussing on operational improvements to achieve the quick win energy/cost reductions. Support with this plan included:
- quantifying savings of identified improvements (energy expenditure, greenhouse emissions, productivity improvements)
- preparing a business case for internal approval
- identifying alternative sources of funding (i.e. new energy jobs fund, regional energy assistance, LGCs)
- preparing tender specifications
- obtaining quotes
- support during implementation
- quantifying improvements (if possible) post implementation.
Company Capability Development Plan - to ensure energy efficiency was fully integrated into the organisation. Support with the plan included:
- change management support - embedded in business corporate strategies, culture, roles and responsibilities
- establishing a capital works scheme
- setting reporting KPIs and corporate strategic objectives.
Consolidating Learnings
To ensure that the program was building capability, mid-program and end-of-program workshops were facilitated in order for participants to share with the group what they had learned and achieved. These workshops reflected on learnings from participating companies’ actions and experiences.
They included:
- an overview of the group’s journey to date
- aggregated results on project improvements (where available)
- progress on company capability plans
- participant experiences, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned
- the next steps on how to progress further through the action plans.
Specialist Consultants for the Program
Specialist energy consultants, Wollemi and Ndevr Environmental provided the strategic and technical guidance throughout the program.
