Contractors Take the Weatherization Challenge
The U.S. government recently injected the weatherization industry with $8 billion dollars in stimulus funding – and for good reason: in 2009, the United States ranked third among all nations for total carbon emissions per capita. Weatherization has thus been touted as a quick and low-cost way to begin chipping away at our carbon footprint, not to mention our energy expense. And while we’re saving money, and the planet, we’re also creating jobs that can’t be outsourced: real green jobs that have staying power.
But there’s a problem. According to Vice President Biden, “there are currently not enough skilled workers and green entrepreneurs to expand weatherization and efficiency retrofit programs on a national scale.”
So, how do we get more skilled workers and green entrepreneurs to expand weatherization programs? ACCION USA believes we should offer them the capital and know-how to get there. And we’re not alone in that belief.
Massachusetts’s Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), for example, recently launched programs that prepare the workforce for new market opportunities in weatherization. MassCEC’s MassGREEN Initiative, for example, is a multi-million dollar program to develop, maintain, and deliver workforce and career training for energy efficiency and building science.
Marybeth Campbell, Workforce Development Director of MassCEC, describes this program as
“one of the most comprehensive clean energy workforce training courses in Massachusetts. MassCEC’s approach, which includes a practical hands-on set of equipment and props that mirror all types of scenarios and contractors that contractors and crew may face in the field, is highly successful in developing a highly skilled workforce.”
But why should contractors – those with some kind of conservation experience or those in related trades – consider weatherization training? Joe Diamond, Executive Director of Massachusetts Association for Community Action, explains that
“federal, state, and utility investment in weatherization has increased and will continue not only for low income households but other residences and for commercial structures. Another reason is that weatherization skills are a platform for other “Green Jobs” career pathways such as green construction. “
Over the past year, organizations such as MassCap, in Fitchburg, Boston, and Framingham, ran “boot camps” that trained weatherization workers who ultimately filled 268 weatherization jobs. As time goes on, resources from utilities for energy conservation will increase providing more opportunities for weatherization careers.
Nonprofit organizations and government agencies such as the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Massachusetts Association for Community Action, Action Inc, Community Action Inner City, Community Action Inc, Worcester Community Action Council , The New England Clean Energy Council, Conservation Services Group and ACCION USA are working together to survey the challenges facing the contractors in weatherization today. The information gathered will be used to improve current programs and perhaps build new ones.
Are you, or do you know, a contractor interested in the weatherization movement? Click here to shape the future of loan programs for this industry.
Sneak Peek: Small Business Green Loan Program
With the Green Loan Program launching on April 22nd (just 16 days away!) we thought we would let the cat out of the bag a little early. But only for our most ardent online supporters, of course! Join us on April 13th for a lunch time webinar that will tell you all you need to know about ACCION USA’s Green Loan Program pilot in Massachusetts and New York. It’s an interactive experience that will allow you to provide feedback and ask questions. Feel free to spread the word to anyone you think would be interested in helping small businesses go green!
Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
Registration
This webinar is designed for bankers, small business consultants, and anyone else that works with small businesses. It will show you how to help small business get the money they need to go green with an ACCION USA Green Loan for Small Businesses.
Green loan products include:
- Energy Efficiency Loans: Saving energy = saving money and increasing profits
- Grow Your Green Business: Loans for small businesses that provide green products or services
If you know a small business that is struggling to find ways to cut costs and access new, green-conscious consumers, sign up for this “partners only” webinar today. Space is limited!
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. “See” you on the 13th!
Tags: green small business, greenm small business loans, partners, training, weatherization, webinars