Blue Ridge Community College

BRCC's Technology Education Mission Statement

In order to maximize the benefits of Green Technology to the central Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Community College will provide integrated Green Technology training and education to members of the community, businesses and local governments. The college will also provide comprehensive Green Technology career pathways that integrate classroom instruction, training and workplace experience. 

The college will become a key resourse to facilitate the widespread introduction of Green Technology into the Central Shenandoah Valley.

Green Career Pathways (with BRCC programs)

Visit the BRCC Workforce Services and Continuing Education web page at http://www.brcc.edu/wsce/green/   for information. These pathway programs are under development or being offered by BRCC:

• Weatherization: Installer Career Studies Certificate
• Weatherization: Energy Auditor Career Studies Certificate

College Program Contact

David Wiggins, Workforce Services Program Manager
[email protected] • 540-453-2215

College Registration Information

• First visit the BRCC Workforce Services and Continuing Education web page at http://www.brcc.edu/wsce/green/   or look through the catalog to see what classes you may be interested in.
• Before registering please contact Emily Sterrett, Employment Specialist for BRCC, about enrolling in classes: [email protected] • 540-705-5393

Programs

• Understanding Your Home: Going Green and Saving Green: This program will show homeowners cost-effective strategies to incorporate energy and water efficient technologies into existing homes. Learn the fundamentals of air, heat and moisture flow, and how to reduce health risks.
• Building Green to Protect Your Bottom Line: Using basic building science knowledge of air, heat and moisture flow, instructor Charles Hendricks, AIA, LEED AP, shows builders, contractors and suppliers why some buildings function well and others don’t – and how to maximize profit by employing green building methods.
• Certified Environmental Technician: Automotive technicians and shop owners, industrial and plant maintenance technicians, and anyone working with waste fluids can benefit from this 10-hour certification class. Judy Williams will lead participants through a study of used and waste fluids, hazardous materials handling and health risks, EPA and OSHA regulations/requirements, and how to perform their daily work while protecting the environment. A “Certified Environmental Technician” certificate and uniform patch are presented upon completion.
• Applied Energy Technologies for Residential Retrofits: Also known as Weatherization 101, this class covers building science fundamentals for working in the energy retrofit and weatherization industry. Topics include: diagnostic tools, combustion safety, thermal and pressure boundaries, energy conservation measures, worker safety, mobile home, and multi-family procedures.
• Building Science for Energy Auditors: This class is the first part of the energy auditor program.  You will need to also complete the Diagnostics class to prepare for industry certification tests from BPI or RESNET.  Learn basics for performing full-scale energy audits: energy movement, measure selection, comfort and climate, indoor air quality, calculating envelope energy loss, typical retrofit strategies, cooling measures, base load measures, building assessment, combustion safety, work orders, and deferral of services.
• Diagnostic Approaches for Energy Auditors: The second part of the energy auditor program, this class is conducted in a lab/field environment. Work with all equipment necessary to conduct full-scale energy audits and learn diagnostic procedures in preparation for BPI or HERS field tests. Some students take this class as a refresher in diagnostic procedures and equipment used in performing energy audits.
• Alternative Energy Career Studies Certificate: Certificate consists of six classes with a total of nine credit hours.
  • Green Career Pathway
  • Engineering Graphics
  • Electrical Applications I
  • Residential Wind Generation
  • Residential Solar Water Heating System
  • Residential Photovoltaic System
  • Residential Waste Cooking Oil System

Learn more about BRCC's Green Career Pathways: http://www.brcc.edu/wsce/green/