A $3.8 million federal grant will help train professionals across California on building de-carbonization policies and boost employment for workers from historically underserved communities, officials announced Thursday.
U.S. Green Building Council California, a member-based nonprofit advocating for a more sustainably and equitably built environment in the state, received the grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Funding will support USGBC California’s plans for its CalBPS Peer Learning Collaborative and Resource Hub to provide training for architecture, engineering, construction and building inspection professionals.
The hub’s purpose is to build awareness of updated building codes and career pathways for workers, according to USGBC California.
Funds will also support a full-service Building Performance Resource Hub to promote building performance standards and building de-carbonization policies statewide.
Building de-carbonization refers to the process of reducing or eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions from a building’s energy sources, according to the Department of Energy.
USGBC partners with cities such as Los Angeles and West Hollywood, as well as the county of Los Angeles.
Trade, agencies, higher education, technology companies such as the California Energy Commission, National Electric Contractors Association Los Angeles Chapter, the Institute for Market Transformation, San Bernardino Community College District, Los Angeles Trade Tech College, College of the Canyons and Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, among others, are also set to benefit from USGBC’s projects.
According to USGBC, more technical, finance and workforce support would come online. It’s several partners seeking information could call desk services or receive technical and financing advice for projects. There would be an emphasis on education, training and job placement opportunities as well.
“We are at an incredible moment where we need to deliver successful models for effectively and efficiently de-carbonizing our buildings,” Ben Stapleton, executive director of USGBC California, said in a statement.
“This critical funding from the DOE will help us lead with education for new and existing workers in our communities while creating the infrastructure to provide direct technical support for early adopters so that both private and public sector partners can learn how to carry forward improving building performance on their own,” he added.
As a result of the grant, USGBC California anticipates the following:
— Educating about 650 architecture, engineering and construction professionals;
— 40% job placement of participants of its Green Building Corps intern program;
— About 400 building-performance professionals to be listed on its searchable professional database;
— 65 building projects directly supported through its Building Performance Hub; and
— 12 community outreach events in disadvantaged communities in partnership with community colleges, trade organizations and environmental justice groups.
Andrew McAllister, a commissioner for the California Energy Commission, celebrated the federal grant, saying, “Workforce development is central to making sure contractors have what they need.”