Earth Forward Group provides research, advisory, and sustainability management services to public, private, and non-profit sector organizations. In this presentation, we will show how to provide hands-on technical training in Weatherization, Green Building, and Sustainability to students from both traditional and technical high schools. Attendees will learn how to integrate these programs into their curriculum and what steps they can take to get students ready for the workforce.
With energy efficient buildings and weatherization at the forefront of many federal, state, and local energy and emission goals, we are starting to look to education as a way to aid our current environmental crisis and to protect our future. In our programs in the Northeast, technical high schools have an integrated approach in the classroom. They implement project-based learning alongside science and math to educate on sustainability, while also training our future workforce. Partnering with local utilities and Earth Forward Group, students design model net-zero houses that provide students with training and hands-on exposure to real-world construction; in which the design and construction promotes efficient and environmentally friendly building practices. In-class lessons allow students to participate in building science curriculum and receive technical training with the latest emerging technology such as blower doors, duct blasting, geothermal energy, heat pumps, electric vehicles, charging stations, solar photovoltaic and hot water systems, and more. Students and teachers also earn industry-recognized credentials such as Building Science Principles, Healthy Housing Principles, Building Analyst-Technician, and Infiltration and Duct Leakage certifications from the Building Performance Institute; GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green certification from the Urban Green Council; and LEED Green Associate certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. These certifications and training sessions not only support their academic careers, but also position students as top candidates when they enter the workforce.
We offer certification courses and technical training sessions both in the classroom and virtually, including after-school and school break programs during summer and winter. Our after-school and school break courses feature a unique paid-to-train model, where students receive stipends at the minimum wage rate for all training and testing time. This approach serves two purposes: encouraging student participation and addressing financial barriers for students who might otherwise miss work to attend training. By providing our courses in online, hybrid, and in-person formats, we enhance the flexibility and accessibility of our programs, allowing us to reach more students across a wider range of schools.
While our instructors are busy teaching this content year-round, we recognize the need for Train-the-Trainer style professional development programs to create lasting impact in areas where our team cannot be physically present full-time. These programs aim to increase the capacity of schools, regions, and even entire states. For example, our recent successful Train-the-Trainer program in the Northeast provided participants with a Building Science Principles certification, completion of our Weatherization and Blower Door technical training, and participation in “teach back” sessions to equip participants with the skills to implement this content in their own classrooms. To minimize costs and travel, the two-day Building Science Principle certification course was conducted virtually, followed by in-person technical training and “teach back” sessions, which allowed for hands-on activities and networking opportunities.
As our programs are majority focused in disadvantaged communities, we have found increased program success by offering additional support such as providing Spanish instruction and translated materials on request, teaching resume writing and interview preparation courses to improve placement rates, and addressing other barriers to careers such as transportation.
Join our session as we give an overview of programs we have developed and the impact they have on students, teachers, and their surrounding communities. We will discuss our approach to partnership, lessons learned, best practices, and provide examples and guidance for others to integrate similar programs in their communities.
You'll learn:- What course material can be integrated into their curriculum to prepare students for a career in weatherization, energy efficiency, and green construction.
- How to understand the current state of the sustainability landscape and what solutions can be implemented locally to support the growing industry.
- How to understand the different pathways available to students in energy and sustainability related careers and education post-graduation.
- How to integrate best practices, workforce strategies, curriculum, and training ideas that can be implemented in Minnesota.
