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Raleigh Green Training

RALEIGH, N.C. — The city’s Office of Sustainability is working in partnership with consulting firm CleanEdison to implement a green job training program for local construction professionals.
 
Earlier this year, Raleigh officials awarded a $45,000 contract to CleanEdison to establish a program that provides hands-on energy audit training. On June 7, Raleigh’s Green Building Training program began its first class, a Building Performance Institute building analyst certification course led by CleanEdison employees.
 
Participants who complete the course will become BPI-certified energy auditors qualified to perform assessments determining the amount of energy a home is wasting through improper insulation, duct sealing, or other factors.
 
City officials anticipate future course to cover LEED certification, solar panel installation, solar thermal installation, green plumbing, sustainable landscaping and other areas. The belief is that the training program will increase local demand for home energy savings while contributing to the community’s overall efforts to become more energy efficient.
 
“This program will offer small businesses the opportunity to diversify their services and to be relevant in the growing green economy,” says Luther Williams, manager of Raleigh’s Business Assistance Program.
 
A federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funded the program.
 
Raleigh is currently working with Wake Technical Community College to develop and broaden course offerings for the Green Building Training program.
 
Construction professionals in the Raleigh area interested in taking the BPI training course must provide proof that they live, work, or do business in Raleigh by presenting a COR business license or other documentation to be eligible.
 
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov/SustainableRaleigh.