6. Proposal to Increase Training Budget

In its petition and reply, CALSEIA asserts that a substantial increase in SWH system sales will require additional training for installers. (Petition at 7.) CALSEIA expresses concern that without additional training it will be difficult to maintain the high level of customer satisfaction necessary to achieve the goal of increasing the size of SWH market in California.

The PAs contend that expanding contractor training requirements at this time is premature. They assert that the current training program is sufficient, and warn that adding unnecessary training requirements could become a barrier to program participation. The PAs believe that any problems with contractor installations can be handled through the PAs monthly working group meetings.

DRA did not comment directly on training, but its comments indicate that no changes should be made to any part of the CSI Thermal Program at this time.

We agree that at this time there is no reason to expand the training program. First, CALSEIA has not provided any data to suggest that the current level of training is insufficient. Second, with so many different SWH products on the market, and with more technologies likely to become eligible under the program in the near future, it does not make sense for the program itself to be responsible for funding all training. Rather, the manufacturers and marketers of specific technologies should develop any necessary additional training. The existing training program will remain in place, and is funded through the Marketing Facilitation portion of the program budget which is updated annually through an advice letter process.

For these reasons, we will not modify D.10-01-022 to expand or otherwise change the installer training program at this time.