NSW Printers get power efficiency boost

The success of Printing Industries Sustainable Green Print (SGP) program has helped attract NSW Government funding for a print industry-based energy efficiency program.

NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Frank Sartor, announced the Sustainable Green Print – Energy Efficiency program as part of a $2.2 million boost to trades and professionals for energy efficiency training.

Under the Department of Climate Change, Environment and Water program printing industry businesses will receive free training to maximise energy efficiency and minimise their power bills.

Sartor said a low carbon economy demanded a workforce with new skills. “Employees who understand how to use energy more efficiently will help their businesses save power, money on bills and carbon pollution,” he said.

Pictured: (l-r) Printing Industries National Manager, Learning and Development, Ian Walz, CEO Philip Andersen and Carlo Lauricella of Applied Training Solutions at the Department of Climate Change, Environment and Water project launch.

Printing Industries CEO, Philip Andersen, said the new program would run in tandem with SGP and would provide the perfect opportunity for businesses to become focussed on energy consumption reduction.

“The module will focus on energy usage within a company and provide staff with the knowledge and skills to conduct energy audits, establish energy efficiency objectives and targets and implement programs and systems to meet those targets,” he said.

“It is very heartening to see that the credentials SGP is providing for printing companies was the major factor that influenced the NSW Government to fund this program for our industry.”

Andersen believes that the program funding was further evidence of the importance to the industry of environmental credentials and of the influence and positive impact SGP is having with government.

The program will be run in conjunction with Printing Industries’ training partners Applied Training Solutions and SD Environmental Management.

A total of 10 companies have already expressed interest in joining the program.

Printing Industries National Manager, Learning and Development, Ian Walz, said funding was available for another 15 companies, so those interested should contact him as soon as possible.

“For those yet to undertake SGP, this is a way of seeing how environmental considerations can improve your bottom line and for those who have completed SGP, it’s a great value-add,” he said.

For information about the program, SGP or LEAN & Green, contact Ian Walz on (02) 8789 7362.  E-mail: ian@printnet.com.au