The Construction Industry Training Council of Washington (CITC) has integrated the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) training module “Your Role in the Green Environment” into its training programs. The course, published by Pearson-Prentice Hall and endorsed by the US Green Building Council, provides fundamental instruction in the green environment, green construction practices, and green building rating systems.
During the 2009 winter quarter, 650 of CITC’s craft training students will receive the training from certified instructors as part of their regular class hours. They will be tested on the material and will earn industry- recognized credentials from the NCCER when they have successfully completed the module. In subsequent years the course will be given to all first year students who enroll in CITC’s programs.
“This generation of students is mostly aware of the issues and largely very interested in this training,” says Dave Perrin, VP, education services. “They are eager to do their part to conserve resources and to delay global warming. As craft workers our students are not involved in the design of projects, but they do have positive roles to play. They learn to be more diligent at conserving resources at work and at home. As knowledgeable employees they assist the contractor in achieving LEED™ goals. As maintenance workers they can influence the selection of high efficiency lighting, HVAC equipment and appliances. All things that will help improve green building practices and the environment.”
“As one of CITC’s partners and a leader in green building principles, Associated Builders & Contractors is delighted to support this training,” said
Kathleen Garrity, president of ABC of Western Washington. “Locally, Mayor Greg Nickels announced the goal of making Seattle ‘the green building capital of America,’ and we are proud to have the skilled workforce to provide the workers needed to aid in that goal.”
In addition to implementing the NCCER module, CITC teaches incorporating energy saving technologies, equipment and construction methods into all its craft training disciplines. “There is an enormous demand from environmentally conscious owners to change or modify existing equipment to conserve energy and run their buildings more effi ciently,” says Dave McFerran, design/build sales engineer with Merit Mechanical. “Training our craft workers at CITC gives us the ability to both serve and educate our clients.”
Steve Murray, a project developer/designer with Northwest Mechanical and a plumbing instructor with CITC who helped design and build the first LEED™ Platinum Certified residential project in Washington, teaches green building from a practical viewpoint. “I emphasize good personal practices, good customer service and making good business decisions related to their construction jobs. The students are learning to be good stewards of the environment and of our limited natural resources as well as how to educate customers on energy conservation and reducing their carbon footprint,” says Murray. “A well educated and skilled workforce helps reduce overall construction costs by using wise construction methods, re-using materials, reducing scrap and waste and eliminating re-work.”