Training

Our trainers teach the use of the BERS Pro software within the Course in Building Thermal Performance Assessment (Residential). This course was developed by the former AGO, now within the Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts. It has been accredited in NSW.

The course is made up of two days of theory and professional practice and two days of learning to use the BERS Pro software. The theory course was condensed from the 65 hour Energy Efficient Building Design Course developed for use in TAFEs throughout Australia by Dr Holger Willrath of Solar Logic. The theory course provides the basis for understanding many of the complexities dealt with by the BERS Pro software.

ABSA currently provides BERS Pro training throughout Australia on behalf of Solar Logic.  For training dates, costs and other details visit the ABSA website at ABSA Training Details

Trainers

All our trainers are qualified to provide workplace training. They have also been trained by Solar Logic to conduct BERS Pro software training throughout Australia. All are qualified building energy assessors. The training course is accredited and delivered under the umbrella of an RTO.

Ken Bezant

Ken is a building designer with over 37 years experience in the building industry in Western Australia. He has worked in the fields of estimating, drafting, quantity surveying, administration, management, building and building design.

Ken is currently president of the Australian Institute of Building Designers Inc. He has formal qualifications in building and quantity surveying, has a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and is a Green Star Accredited Professional. His interests in sustainability have grown over the past twenty years and he is passionate about our future. 

Stephen Collins

Steve Collins is an Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor and an Accredited Building Designer with over 20 years experience in residential design and drafting.

He is currently the Director of Sustainability of the Building Designers Association of NSW.

Steve is the proprietor of Concept Designs Australia, a business which undertakes architectural design, thermal performance assessments using BERS software and preparing BASIX certificates.

 Being a qualified trainer with a certificate IV in workplace assessment and training, and having extensive use of the BERS software performing assessments on single and multi dwellings along with assessments on complicated dwelling designs, provides a good combination for effective BERS training.

Bernard Hockings

Bernard is a builder and designer who focuses on delivering practical, effective sustainable development strategies. He has been involved in sustainable building since beginning his carpentry apprenticeship over 25 years ago.

Bernard is the principal technical consultant for the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors. He was, for several years, environmental consultant to the Master Builders Associations. Bernard has participated in various national and state regulatory advisory groups and training development programs. He was awarded the NSW State Government’s Green Globe Award for his contribution to promoting sustainable building and providing training for industry and was recently selected to work with Al Gore to deliver his climate change presentations in Australia.

Bernard was engaged by the Australian Greenhouse Office as the principal trainer for the national piloting of second generation House Energy rating Software.

Max Mosher   

Max Mosher is proprietor of and energy consultant with Comfy House Design, which provides advice and design assistance on energy efficient homes. Max has operated several energy advisory and referral services on behalf of the NSW Government. Max delivers talks on sustainable housing to TAFE students, government, industry and community groups.

Michael Plunkett

Michael Plunkett has formal qualifications in Design and Architecture from the University of Queensland , and currently works as an independent Building Consultant. His strategy is to provide his clients with a range of complimentary services in the key areas of Estimating, Energy Ratings, Sustainable Housing and related Computer Software that builds on his extensive skills and experience learnt over the last 25 years. Michael is an accredited BERS assessor and works closely with his clients on each project.

Michael recognises that there is a need to inform and raise awareness within the industry of the principles of Sustainability and has presented information sessions to HIA members and builders, and is working to ensure all stakeholders within the building industry gain a better understanding of the importance these issues.

Daniel Smee

Daniel is a Director and Registered Supervisor for Jade Projects Australia Pty Ltd. Daniel is responsible for policy setting and supervising construction on site. Daniel possesses qualifications across a wide area of the construction industry which ensures any advice given is with due consideration as to how it will impact on the delivery of the overall project. His 25 years experience includes working as a Registered Builder, Director Regulations, Assistant Technical Director, Principal Building Surveyor, and Building Lecturer as well as undertaking extensive construction work throughout WA. Daniel has been actively involved in developing policy in the areas of BCA issues, energy efficiency, and OS&H.

Holger Willrath

Holger is the director of Solar Logic and author of the BERS software. He has a Dip Ed and has delivered courses on renewable energy since 1975. He is a physicist with a Doctorate in Architecture specialising in Energy Efficient Building Design and Renewable Energy Systems. He has worked as an adviser in Renewable Energy across Asia-Pacific for the United Nations and consults to the AGO, and other Commonwealth, State and Local Government Departments as well as Professional Organisations and Architectural firms. 

Victor Yanchenko

Victor Yanchenko is an architect with a strong interest in sustainable design. Victor founded the practice VZ Yanchenko Pty Ltd in 1982 and has worked on design documentation and management of a wide variety of projects, including: golf resorts and residential projects throughout Asia; and industrial, educational, aged care facilities and single dwelling projects in NSW.

Victor provides expert consultancy services to leading NSW architectural practices, developers, building companies and building consultancy practices. He has conducted project planning and financial feasibility analysis and implementation of various projects in the Sydney metropolitan area, and is a guest lecturer in CAD at the University of NSW's Faculty of Architecture. Building Thermal Physics and Ecologically Sustainable Design is his passion.