Green Curriculum
NCCER is embracing sustainability by offering an array of green and energy-related training and certification programs.
Your Role in the Green Environment
This curriculum provides fundamental instruction in the green environment, green construction practices, and green building rating systems. This training is approved by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for 15 hours of continuing education under the Green Building Certification Institute’s (GBCI) Credentialing Maintenance Program for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This means that those students who already possess a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP credential may apply these hours towards the mandatory upkeep of their credentials with GBCI.
Sustainable Construction Supervisor
This module was developed to instruct construction supervisors on sustainable management techniques, especially as they relate to construction-phase LEED points targeted for their projects. A collaborative effort of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, the University of Florida, and Subject Matter Experts from the Top 100 Green Contractors in the United States, this module covers a topic not addressed until now—sustainable construction management for front-line supervisors.
This module has been endorsed by GBCI and approved by the US Green Building Council for 20 GBCI general and LEED-specific Continuing Education (CE) Hours for LEED Professionals. The LEED-specific categories for which this course have been approved are: LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C); LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M); and LEED AP Interior Design and Construction (ID+C). This means that those students who already possess a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP credential may apply these hours towards the mandatory upkeep of their credentials with GBCI. For more information on GBCI’s Credentialing Maintenance Program, go to www.gbci.org and select Credential Maintenance.
Green Topics in HVAC
Divided into four modules, this program explores the methods and opportunities for increasing the efficiency of energy use and the quality of air that we breathe. These modules are approved by the USGBC for continuing education hours. They are also LEED specific and together total 40 continuing education hours for Credential Maintenance. This means that those students who already possess a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP credential may apply these hours towards the mandatory upkeep of their credentials with GBCI. For more information on GBCI’s Credentialing Maintenance Program, go to www.gbci.org and select Credential Maintenance.
Weatherization
As energy efficiency is becoming a priority for homeowners across America, many are turning to the weatherization industry to assist in their efforts. NCCER’s new Weatherization program offers training that exceeds the existing standards for weatherization installers, crew chiefs, and building auditors. This program combines existing NCCER curricula with new building science modules that address the specific needs within this industry. Dual credentials are available within this program.
Alternative Energy
Endorsed by the Florida Energy Workforce Consortium in support of the 17th Career Cluster development for Energy, Alternative Energy investigates the viability and value of fossil fuel alternatives, such a biomass/biofuel, nuclear, solar, and wind.
Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics
This training is approved by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for 15 hours of continuing education under the Green Building Certification Institute’s (GBCI) Credentialing Maintenance Program for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This means that those students who already possess a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP credential may apply these hours towards the mandatory upkeep of their credentials with GBCI. For more information on GBCI’s Credentialing Maintenance Program, go to www.gbci.org and select Credential Maintenance.
Solar Photovoltaic Systems Installer
The United Stated is now the fourth largest solar photovoltaic market in the world, and all indicators point to continued growth as installation costs decrease and economic incentives rise. As the market continues to grow, the need for trained solar PV technicians to install these systems will intensify. In response to this demand, NCCER has developed a curriculum for both entry level and advanced solar PV installation technicians—all in support of the North American Board of Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEP’s) educational standards for technicians. The entry-level course will be built in accordance with the NABCEP PV Entry Level Objectives. The comprehensive PV installation course was built to support NABCEP’s PV Installer Job Task Analysis. When combined with select modules from NCCER’s Electrical program, this training can meet individual state requirements for 4-year apprenticeship programs.
Introduction to Wind Energy
To provide basic information on wind energy and wind power technology, NCCER has developed a stand-alone, 15-hour module entitled Introduction to Wind Energy. This module defines how wind generates power, discusses the two wind turbine types (horizontal and vertical-axis), and covers the advantages and disadvantages of wind-generated electricity. This module is the first in a series of modules supporting a three-year training program based upon the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Core Skill Set for Wind Turbine Service Technicians, as well as the Department of Labor’s apprenticeship standards for wind turbine technicians.
Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Level One
To ensure instructors have teaching material in time for their fall classes, NCCER is releasing Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Level One in two volumes. Volume One, consisting of the first seven modules, released in August of 2011. Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Level One, Volume Two, consisting of the final eight modules, will release late fall.