Lord Fairfax Community College
Now, more than ever, energy independence is a national goal. To achieve that goal we need to change the way we think about how we use energy. First and foremost, we must use the energy we already have as efficiently as possible. We must improve current manufacturing and construction processes and we must develop new technologies to harness alternative energy sources.
To help industry achieve this goal, the U.S. government has budgeted funds to assist in the development of these new green technologies, provide the necessary worker training, and offer financial assistance for retraining current, dislocated and unemployed workers.
The Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership, of which Lord Fairfax Community College is a member, received a $5 million grant to develop instructional programs designed to help our workforce acquire new skills in sustainable construction, manufacturing, building design and renewable energy industries. Scholarships and grants may be available to those who need financial assistance and meet the necessary qualifications.
Beginning in the fall of 2010, Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC)’s Office of Workforce Solutions began offering a variety of non-credit green classes. These classes will help students prepare for new and emerging jobs in green technologies with certifications in the following areas:
- Advanced Green Manufacturing;
- Green Construction-Related Credentialing;
- Sustainability and Green Building CSC;
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS);
- Commercial and Residential Assessment;
- Construction and Manufacturing Apprenticeships; and
- Solar/Photovoltaic Installer.
Classes will help prepare participants for certifications, licensures and/or degrees and will assist those in apprenticeship programs.
Program Prerequisite Requirements
- All participants must meet grant requirements (see Workers Eligibility and Guidelines section).
- Some classes require pre-requisite classes in order to register for green industry certification courses.
- Years of experience in industry and or building contractor's license may be substituted for the “Introduction to Green Building Practices" course.
Green Career Pathways (with LFCC programs)
Students must take the two classes listed below before being able to enroll in Air Sealer Installer, Energy Auditor, LEED or Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology.
- Introduction to Green Building Practices
- Green Build – Your Role in the Green Environment
College Program Contact
If unemployed ...
Contact your local Workforce One-Stop Center
located in either Winchester,
If employed ...
If you are employed in the industry and seeking to expand your skills or if you are currently serving an apprenticeship, contact LFCC Workforce Solutions.
Becky McKee, Coordinator of Business and Industry Training
[email protected] • 540-868-7119Bill Lewis, Assistant Professor, Sustainability and Green Building Career Studies Certificate
[email protected] • 540-868-7215College Registration Information
- Before registering for classes please visit the LFCC Workforce Solutions Web Page (http://www.lfccworkforce.com
- Look through the catalog to see what classes you may be interested in.
- Contact the Employment Specialist for LFCC, 540-705-5392, about participant eligibility and grant scholarships.
- If approved, proceed with class registration through LFCC.
Programs
Download green pathways flyer (PDF)
- Introduction to Green Building Practices: Green Building technologies are becoming commonplace in the current building construction market. Introduction to Green Building Practices will provide students with the core knowledge surrounding the constantly expanding world of sustainable building technology. Students can take this course as a prerequisite to other open courses or as a means of educating themselves on the latest in trends in the world of sustainability. Topics will include sustainability in new construction and building remodeling, renewable energy technologies, and a summary of the various certifications that encompass these subjects. Students will be required to pass a 30-question exam for successful completion of this course.
- Green Build – Your Role in the Green Environment: Get smart about Energy Star ratings! In just 18 hours, learn basic information about new residential construction, remodel construction, and ways to operate your home and business more efficiently.
- Chloro-Flouro-Carbon (CFC) Prep Certification and Exam: Course is design for HVAC technicians. Everyone who wants to work with refrigeration systems must be certified under the EPA guidelines. Learn the essentials of CFC and complete the EPA Section 608 exam during class. Learn how to stop the greenhouse effect by using the right refrigerant. Think green!
- LEED Green Associate (GA): The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Associate (GA) credential is now an industry standard for green building professionals. This accreditation is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate a basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations, but who do not necessarily participate in design and construction work. The credential is also the prerequisite for those who wish to obtain their LEED AP accreditation. This class prepares you to take the exam given by USGBC. Exam is at a prometric testing site. Customized class opportunities are available. Please contact LFCC workforce directly at 540-868-7021.
- Energy Auditor: This energy auditor class will cover topics necessary for working in the industry and performing full-scale energy audits. Topics will include: 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. Students will also work with all equipment necessary to
conduct full-scale energy audits. Equipment covered includes: blower doors, duct testers, manometers, thermal cameras, combustion testing equipment and various other diagnostic tools. Diagnostic procedures will be covered to prepare students to take BPI or HERS field tests.
- Air Sealer Installer: The residential weatherization industry is expected to grow dramatically as utility programs and government incentives make it more affordable for homeowners to make their houses more energy efficient. After completing this course, successful students will be prepared to take the BPI Installer exams for Air Sealing. Topics covered include:
- determining where the thermal boundary should be in any typical single family residence and identifying potential air leakage points in that barrier;
- determining the best materials and methods for sealing all of the typical leakage points found in a single family residence;
- sealing all typical leakage points with the most efficient and effective use of time and materials and test their seals for air-tightness;
- applying air-sealing techniques in compliance with all relevant building and fire code requirements; and
- working in a manner that ensures their own safety and the safety of job-site residents and property.
The Weatherization Installer Training Program consists of 40 hours of instructional time including field study. Exam will be scheduled separately.
- Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology: This course is designed for electricians and electrical journeymen. Licenses are required to register. This workshop will train participants to design and install both battery-based and grid-tied photovoltaic systems. PV panels produce electricity directly from sunlight and their popularity in the current renewable energy market is growing rapidly. Students will be taught about PV technology in both classroom and lab settings. Hands-on experience will prepare students for installing systems on their own. Classroom material will focus on the primary competencies addressed in the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practioners) entry level PV exam. The NABCEP Entry level PV exam will be part of this class. Now is the time for solar energy with the emergence of current tax credits.
Learn more about LFCC Workforce Solutions by clicking here then going to the Green Classes link.
- Sustainability and Green Construction Career Studies Certificate: This career studies certificate (CSC) provides instruction in sustainable building materials, construction methods and design, along with instruction in solar energy usage, especially photovoltaic grid direct systems. Successful students completing this curriculum will be prepared to take both the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) entry level certification test and the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) entry level certification test. This CSC, along with the two certifications, will give students a substantial edge when applying for jobs with architectrueal firms, engineering firms and construction companies involved with green building design and construction. This CSC is ideally suited for students who have previous techical skills/degrees and want to update their education or are currently in a degree program and want to have additional knowledge and certification to target green jobs.
Learn more about this program by contacting Bill Lewis at 540-868-7215 or [email protected], or at www.lfcc.edu under Career Studies Certificate.
