ShareThisThe Silver Lining in Residential Design and Construction
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An unprecedented number of architects, contractors, and real-estate related professionals in Oregon are currently unemployed or underemployed. It’s no secret that the housing industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the U.S. economy since the 2008 recession. Despite the dark clouds that have surrounded the housing industry over the past two years, a silver lining has emerged.
Increasingly, industry professionals are looking towards green building as a way to reinvigorate their careers. Green building training can be cost-prohibitive for many in the industry, particularly for those who have seen their incomes decline. Fortunately, as a result of the recession, the federal government has provided grant funding for those interested in pursuing green building careers. Whether you are unemployed, underemployed, or just wanting to upgrade your skills, there are opportunities currently available to receive free training from Earth Advantage Institute in green building and design practices.
Through a U.S. Department Labor Training grant in cooperation with Workforce Investment Council, Clackamas Community College’s Smart and Sustainable program is subsidizing the cost of several of our course offerings in 2011. Courses include From Here to Net Zero, Building High Performance Walls and Roofs, and Building Science Fundamentals. Eligible participants can either be employed or unemployed. For more information about the program and how to take Earth Advantage courses for free, contact Skye Feltz at 503.594.3452 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Kim Hikade at 503.594.6413 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Earth Advantage Institute’s Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP) certification course is an eligible green training program of Worksystem’s Green Career Training Project, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant. While the regular tuition for our six-month intensive certification course is $1625, eligible participants can qualify to take this course for free. The SHP course is an interactive certification program that helps current and future builders, remodelers, architects, and designers acquire knowledge and technical skills to create high performance homes. Classes meet two days a month for six months from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes integrate lecture, discussion, and sustainable home tours. The course is eligible for CCB and AIA continuing education credit and the next course starts in Portland on January 21, 2011.
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If you are currently unemployed, underemployed, or a Veteran, and you live in zip codes 97211, 97216, 97230, 97218, 97220, or 97233, you might qualify for free tuition and job placement assistance through the Green Career Training Project. To learn more about how you can take the SHP course for free, please contact Chris Mayou, education specialist, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503.968.7160.
Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA), the Building Green Council of Central Oregon, Cascadia, Earth Advantage Institute and Energy Trust of Oregon have partnered to provide a subsidized education series for the general public on energy efficiency. This series is made possible by the City of Bend with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. A number of Earth Advantage Institute courses taught in Bend can be taken for free or at a discount during 2011. To learn more about which courses are available as part of this series, visit http://www.bendeec.com.
Regardless of your employment situation, there are a number of free educational opportunities currently available to help you fulfill your goals of developing your career in green building and design.
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