Singapore, 18 September 2008 - The National Environment Agency (NEA) has set up a $6 million grant to help defray the course fee of the Singapore Certified Energy Manager training programme. The grant will cover a substantial part of the training cost at the Professional Level.

Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Programme

Introduced in year 2006, the SCEM Programme was developed by the Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU) of National University of Singapore, under the sponsorship of the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) Locally-based Enterprise Advancement Program (LEAP).

The programme is supported by NEA, Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Building and Construction Authority (BCA). It is endorsed by the National Climate Change Committee, The Institute of Engineers, Singapore (IES), International Facility Management Association (Singapore Chapter), Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa).

It offers a formal training and certification system for energy managers at two certifiable levels, namely Associate Level and Professional Level. Training will help to develop capability among engineering professionals in the area of energy efficiency and energy management. Certification will promote professionalism among engineers who intend to build their careers as energy managers and technologists.

Low-cost training leading to Associate Level SCEM is already available at the Singapore Polytechnic. The training also leads to a Specialist Diploma in Energy Efficiency and Management. The NEA’s grant will support similar low cost training for engineers leading to the Professional SCEM certification.

‘With the growing need for energy and cost efficiency, there will be an increasing demand for qualified energy managers especially in large manufacturing and building facilities in the coming years. Through the SCEM training grant, we hope to develop local expertise and capability in professional energy management and encourage the certification of up to 1,000 energy managers in the next two to four years. This effort will contribute towards our goal of improving energy efficiency in Singapore.’ Said Mr Lee Yuen Hee, Chief Executive Officer, NEA.

Applicants who are eligible for the Professional Level certification can apply for the SCEM training grant. To qualify for the grant, the candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Possess a Degree
• Have at least one year of relevant engineering experience
• Be a Singaporean or Permanent Resident

Qualifying candidates need only pay a one-time fee of about $1,000 upfront for the full 144-hour professional level SCEM Programme. The NEA would subsidize the rest of the fees.

Application forms and eligibility criteria are available on the E2 Singapore website: www.e2singapore.gov.sg. Alternatively, interested parties can contact NEA on our hotline: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) for enquiries.