 |
 |
| |
IT IS EASY BEING GREEN (Continued)
|
|
(MBA). “For the past two years, the MBA has teamed with the Green Building Alliance (GBA) to offer Green Associate Test Prep Training. In addition, LEED
Associate Training is held one night a week for two hours for three consecutive weeks. The first time we offered the course, we sold out the training two weeks after the registration window was open. Every seat in the MBA’s conference room was taken. That’s a testament to the interest and support of our contractors and their employees.”
Other local union contractor associations including the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Pennsylvania (MCA), National Electrical Contractors Association—Western Pennsylvania Chapter, Ironworkers Employer Association of Western Pennsylvania and others also encourage their members to support and promote green training to their union partners.
“Most MCA members belong to the Green Building Alliance, which, among other duties, facts as a resource to environmentally sound business practices and materials,” said MCA Executive Director Rege Claus. “The Mechanical Contractors Association of America also holds seminars on various green building initiatives throughout the year and they are always filled to capacity.”
Curriculum is constantly being updated at the area’s Joint Apprenticeship schools and the practice will undoubtedly continue as Pittsburgh’s prominence in green building construction grows. According to recent GBA LEED® Benchmarking Data, Pittsburgh ranks fifth nationally in the number of LEED certified buildings while Pennsylvania ranks third.
“Green building and the obtainment of LEED certification will soon be a foregone conclusion for local construction requirements,” Mr. Ramage said “The fact that we were among the first cities in the country to recognize and embrace such environmentally conscious construction puts us ahead of the curve among contractors who are willing, able and knowledgeable of implementing any green building plans.”
As construction of the Tower at PNC Plaza progresses and more and more companiesfollow PNC’s lead, the demand for professionally trained building trades workers who are adept at green construction and sustainability can only increase. As it does, the union building trades and their contractors will be well positioned to meet the challenge. |
|
|
| |
Master (Green) Builders’ Association Preparing Professionals for
the LEED Exam
MBA Launches Green Builders Committee |
A decade ago, the construction industry was of the mindset that if an owner
wanted a green building, then the contractor would build a green building. The industry, from the constructor side, was capable of building energy-efficient and sustainable structures, but the contractors for the most part were not at the forefront
of marketing green construction services. Fast forward to today, and oh how the
times have changed! Building green has caught on in a big way from the constructors’ perspective, and this is proven in the field of sustainable education and training.
Contractors are getting their employees green credentials in the droves.
To assist the construction industry in obtaining green education, the Master
Builders’ Association joined forces with the Green Building Alliance to offer yearly
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate Test Prep
Training. The training prepares professionals for the LEED Green Associate Exam.
This instructor-led study class focuses on the basic requirements of each LEED
credit, regulation and intent, and an overview of the LEED certification process.
This training is conducted one night a week for three consecutive weeks at the
MBA’s LEED Gold Rated Headquarters in Green Tree.
“The LEED Green Associate Test Prep Training was very beneficial to my career. From
the training I was able to grasp a better understanding of the sustainable building best
practices and I understood the importance of documenting performance criteria,” said Jen Landau, LEED Green Associate, Landau Building Company, and one of the first students
from the training to obtain the LEED Green Associate credential.
The MBA-GBA LEED Green Associate Test Prep Training has been held twice so far and both offerings sold out quickly. The successful green education course has
prompted the MBA to launch the MBA Green Builders Committee, whose primary mission is to delivery sustainable education programs to the region’s construction industry and to maintain strong relationships with organizations whose sole purpose is to promote sustainability, like the GBA.
More information on green education offerings from the MBA or on the MBA Green Builders Committee can be obtained by visiting www.mbawpa.org. |
|
|
| |
Continued > |
|
|
|
