Smart energy-efficiency curriculum to strengthen workforce development capacity: A validation study for the remote energy assessment ecosystem

The energy sector is growing rapidly because of rising demand, new technology, and the global push for sustainability and protecting the environment. Traditional energy audit training programs are not effective because they rely on lecture-based methods and offer very little practical experience. To address these challenges, this study came up with a new and adaptable training framework. It used modern digital tools to make energy assessment training more interactive, scalable, and suitable for different skill levels. The framework was developed with Virtual Reality (VR) to create a learning space that is interactive and flexible. A skill matrix was used to divide the content based on learner level, and feedback from people who are working in education and energy fields helped make the modules to make sure the modules were technical, accurate, and have practical value. The training modules covered key commercial energy systems such as lighting, HVAC, building envelopes, and the energy audit process and equipment, linking them to educational standards to support both academic and professional use. Surveys from professionals and student tests showed that this program helped the students to develop a better understanding of commercial energy systems. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test also indicated an improvement in post-quiz scores in comparison to pre-quiz scores (p < 0.05). In addition to this, the feedback from students after testing in VR sessions also showed that the training was easy to use, engaging, and helped them understand real-world energy systems. The study concluded that the proposed Next-Generation Energy Audit Training System is a useful and modern approach to energy workforce development. This training fills the gap between theory-based learning through hands-on practice and the use of modern technologies. Future models of this research could include more modules for industrial systems, making a mobile integrated curriculum, and using AI agents to make or update training materials automatically. Overall, this study established the base for a digital, scalable, and skill-focused energy education framework that supported the transition toward a more sustainable and efficient energy workforce.