Marybeth Campbell
Workforce Development Director, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
View Marybeth's Complete Bio
This month the Commonwealth kicks off its ambitious energy efficiency and building science skills initiative, MassGREEN. This statewide training program offers a 78-hour weatherization installer course at four community colleges, where students will gain the skills needed to work as professional air sealing technicians and insulation installers.
MassGREEN is funded with $1.8 million from MassCEC and a $1 million federal stimulus award from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Community colleges, vocational schools, non-profits, workforce boards, utilities, unions, energy efficiency contractors and energy agencies all came together to create this high quality, standards-based training program that will help Massachusetts build a skilled workforce and achieve unprecedented levels of weatherization and energy efficiency in homes and commercial buildings.
On September 14, 12 instructors will start an intensive, week-long train-the-trainer program that will prepare them to teach students from across the state how to become weatherization technicians. The course covers air sealing, insulation and health and safety on the job.
At the end of September, weatherization installer courses will begin at Springfield Technical Community College, Greenfield Community College, North Shore Community College and Bristol Community College. The course is designed primarily for people who have little or no background in weatherization concepts or practices, including entry-level workers and residential construction trades seeking to expand their knowledge and services in energy efficiency, as well as existing weatherization crews and contractors interested in refreshing their skills and aligning their competencies with industry standards, materials and practices. Successful graduates of the course will be prepared to take the Building Performance Institute Installer exams for Air Sealing and Densepacking.
Schools are accepting registrations now, with seating limited to 12 people per class due to the intensive hands-on nature of the training program. Below is a more detailed schedule of when and where classes will take place at each college:
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square, Springfield
September 30 to December 16
Franklin County Technical School, Turner Falls
September 30 to November 20
North Shore Technical High School, Middleton
October 4 to December 15 (Search course: CSA825)
The Green Center in Fall River
October 18-to January 24.
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