Weatherization Assistance Program ARRA-Period Evaluation

OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX

Expiration Date: MM/DD/YYYY

S8 – WEATHERIZATION TRAINING CENTERS POST-ARRA SURVEY

This data is being collected to conduct a survey of the directors of DOE funded Weatherization Training Centers to gain insights into weatherization training strategies and needs anticipated post-ARRA. The ARRA period is defined to run from April 2009 to March 2012.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Office of the Chief Information Officer, Records Management Division, IM-23, Paperwork Reduction Project (XXXX-XXXX), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 20585-1290; and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA, Paperwork Reduction Project (XXXX-XXXX), Washington, DC  20503.

Lastly, all of the information obtained from this survey will be protected and will remain confidential. The data will be analyzed in such a way that the information provided cannot be associated back to you or your training center.

1. What is the name of your weatherization training center? _____________________

2. Please describe the weatherization training offered by your Center? {Inquire about training topics, certifications given and supported} _____________

3. What percentage of your weatherization training program was supported by DOE funds pre-ARRA, during the ARRA period, and expected to be post-ARRA? __________________

4. What was your Center’s budget pre-ARRA, during ARRA, and expected to be post-ARRA? ______

5. How many staff did your Center employ pre-ARRA, during ARRA, and expected to employ post-ARRA? _____________________________

6. How did your Center ramp up its weatherization training program during the ARRA period? {Inquire about increases in number of courses, hiring of staff, non-traditional/innovative training, marketing techniques, and equipment/technology purchases.} ___________

7. Did you find the support for your Center from DOE useful in implementing your ARRA period training and planning?  What worked well?  What didn’t? _________________________

8. Is DOE providing adequate support for post-ARRA planning? What is working?  What else do you need? ________________________

9. What assistance could DOE provide to assist in your center’s post-ARRA transition? _____________________

10. How is or will your center ramp down its weatherization training program post-ARRA? {Inquire about laying off staff, transitioning into non-low income programs, finding new leveraging partners, selling equipment, changing fee structures for classes, dropping weatherization classes.} ________________

11. Is there a risk that your Center may have to close down post-ARRA?  If so, what would be required to prevent that? _____________________

12. At the peak during the ARRA period, how many weatherization trainees were served by your center per year and how many do you expect to serve post-ARRA? __________

13. How will weatherization training offered by your center change post-ARRA______________

14. Will your relationship with the grantee(s) continue post-ARRA? ___________________

15. Please describe your thoughts about the demand for weatherization training in your area and nationally over the next five years. _____________________________

16. What types of trainees will be attracted to this field over the next five years and what types of jobs will they be able to obtain following the training? {Inquire about potential problems in attracting new trainees} ___________________________

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