Green construction jobs are becoming the norm in the contracting and construction industries, so to remain competitive construction professionals must expand their skill set in the green and eco-friendly building fields. More companies are opting to construct green buildings, with seventy percent of executives and developers making their firms part of sustainability programs for tax breaks and the benefit of reduced operating costs. Financial benefits like these are among the many reasons why green buildings are Alexandr Shcolyar being built so frequently and why there is a demand for workers and contractors with sustainable construction skills and a familiarity with eco-friendly construction. But what do contractors, journeymen, and construction specialist need to know about working on green buildings?
Green Building Operational Categories
The diverse nature of green construction means that
contractors, builders, and designers working in the industry must have an
understanding of the following sub categories in green building:
Surveying and planning
Energy efficiency
water conservation
Indoor air quality
Onsite construction practices
Credentials & Certifications and who sets the
standards
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a
respected advocate for green construction and a nonprofit organization which
created and maintains the standards used to rate buildings sustainability. The
USGBC's standards are a part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design's (LEED) building rating system and by utilizing these standards the
Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) judges buildings against a LEED's
scorecard. Buildings looking for certification earn points in categories like
energy efficiency and design and those categories listed above. If a building's
score is sufficient it is eligible to receive Silver, Gold, or Platinum LEED
certification, and this certification is so respected that certain
jurisdictions in the U.S. have made it a part of their building standards and
codes.
Nationally the U.S. General Services Administration
mandates that any and all major federal renovations and new construction
projects meet the LEED Gold standards, while private developers pursue LEED
certifications in order to broadcast their eco-friendly credentials. Though
LEED is the standard in the United States, alternatives do exist, like the
Green Building Initiative, which offers a comparable green construction
certification. Still, some green construction certifications are better than
others, with a few being more expensive and complex, requiring contractors,
designers, and builders to do some research on them before applying.
Certifications for Professionals
The GBCI provides both building certifications
while also accrediting professionals and contractors working in the green
construction field. Also, LEED Accredited Professionals are eligible to work on
projects where official LEED certification is pursued. These contractors can
also already be working as a project's architect or designer. The National
Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) created a certification
specifically for construction supervisors, with the endorsement of the GBCI. Frontline
construction managers can be certified under the LEED's green building agenda
on a project, by the project's Sustainable Construction Manager.
Occupations and training for Green Construction
There are several national and local organization
offering training for green construction trades in the US including the
following:
The NCCER (National Center for Construction
Education and Research):
A not-for-profit created to outline a standardized
training module for green construction officially recognized as the industry
standard by both the Green Building Certification Institute and U.S. Green
Building Council.
Workers with existing proficiency in a trade
looking to augment their resume with green building techniques skills should
contact their local NCCER sponsor or employment and trade centers for training
opportunities.
The Associated Builders and Contractors
The ABC has been heavily involved in developing
green construction training programs for those looking to enter the industry
with a respected certification.
Right now a background and training in green
practices are essential for a specific occupation. But it is the engineers and
the architects who require a substantial amount of training, education, and
certification for skills specific to green construction. These specialists must
turn to groups like the ABC, NCCER, LEED for guidance on their particular
specialty. However, in many cases construction laborers might work differently
on a green construction site, without the need for extensive specialized
training. Specialty trade workers with proficiencies in installing things like
energy and water efficient structures and appliances or those using new green
techniques require additional training.
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