Nonprofit gains BPI accreditation for green energy training

June 7, 2011

Californian nonprofit Rising Sun Energy Center has received training affiliate status from the Building Performance Institute for its Green Energy Training Services (GETS).

The GETS curriculum, one of only 15 nationwide to receive BPI accreditation, is now available for license to other jobs trainings organizations and workforce development programs nationwide.

“Having trained hundreds of youth and adults in the Bay Area, hired them to conduct home energy audits and retrofits, and helped them secure private sector jobs in the construction and building performance trades, we are delighted to have received BPI’s recognition of the efficacy of our training,” said Jodi Pincus, Executive Director of Rising Sun Energy Center.

“More importantly, other job training programs nationwide can now benefit from this experience.”

Rising Sun Energy Center has pioneered a number of programs that train and employ youth from at-risk environments to perform residential energy efficiency audits and upgrades.

Its technical training program for hard-to-employ adults, a partnership with Richmond Build, has garnered significant statewide support and industry recognition. Graduates have strong job placement rates, including at GETS Energy Services, the nonprofit’s own Building Performance social enterprise.

Input from professionals

The Green Energy Training Services curriculum, comprised of classroom, lab and fieldwork components, was developed by a BPI-certified Building Analyst in collaboration with construction professionals and curriculum design experts.

GETS graduates are prepared for a growing range of jobs, such as energy efficiency field technicians, weatherization crew members or Building Analyst assistants.

The GETS curriculum is well-suited for municipal and government workforce development organizations, community-based job training programs, vocational and technical training schools, and community colleges.

“As an employer in the Energy Efficiency industry, I hire GETS graduates because they have what I am looking for,” said Dahlia Moodie, CEO, Energy Conservation Options (ECO) in Oakland, CA.

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Glad there are programs like this to help our at-risk youth and adults find employment at a time when so many are still out of work and struggling. God bless.