Energy efficiency refers to any method where less energy is consumed to attain the same amount of useful output. Energy-efficient homes and buildings use less energy to heat, cool, and run appliances and electronics, and energy-efficient manufacturing facilities use less energy to produce goods. Like renewable energy sources, energy efficient products and processes also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Building science is the technology-driven collection of knowledge to provide better indoor environmental quality, energy-efficient built environments and occupant comfort, and satisfaction. This includes the study of the relationships between the building envelope, building design and construction, heating/cooling systems, insulation, mechanical ventilation, lighting, appliances, and other systems. Building science demonstrates how these various components all interact to affect the home or building’s overall performance and energy efficiency and how this information can be applied to achieve the target benefits.
The mechanical systems used to control the temperature, humidity, pressure and other select aspects of the indoor environment are the Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC/R) systems. Creating and maintaining energy efficient buildings with improved environmental quality has led to the development of new technologies including but not limited to geothermal systems, air-sourced heat pumps, and tools designed to analyze and improve building performance.
According to the Department of Energy United States Energy and Employment Report, July 3, 2023, America must create at least 1M new clean energy workers by 2030. USEER also observed that many workers split their time between traditional and clean energy tasks noting that jobs classified as “clean” are ones in which workers spend more than half their time working in clean energy technology areas. Additionally, USEER shows that the energy workforce added almost 300,000 jobs from 2021 to 2022 (+3.8% growth), outpacing the growth rate of the overall U.S. workforce, which grew by 3.1%. Clean energy jobs increased in every state and grew 3.9% nationally.
Community colleges can provide community education for k-12 students, workforce development, upgrade the technical skills of current workers, help adult learners develop new skills for career changes, and provide hands-on instruction in the field of building science.
As part of National Council for Workforce Education’s rigorous quality assurance process and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, all NGJAC supplemental curricula undergo a comprehensive DEI review, utilizing a carefully crafted rubric, before being openly published. This review process ensures the SME created training materials are thoughtfully examined and align with our values, fostering an inclusive learning environment for all stakeholders.
The National Green Jobs Advisory Council DEI Rubric seeks to support the intentional development of equitable, diverse, and inclusive (DEI) workforce training materials. The tool is not exhaustive but rather is designed to help guide and focus content development around best practices in DEI. Many of the suggested guidelines adopt a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and are effective teaching and learning practices.
Building a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Energy Efficiency Workforce report discusses current demographics, strategies to increase DEIA, and roadblocks to attracting young, diverse workers in the building industry.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Construction Trades – this 2021 report, commissioned by North America’s Building Trades Unions and written by Institute for Construction Employment Research, explores trends in minority and women representation in the construction industry, initiatives to increase diversity, and available and future opportunities to continue to increase DEIA.
Women in HVACR exists to improve the lives of our members by providing professional avenues to connect with other women growing their careers in the HVACR industry. We empower women to succeed through networking opportunities, mentoring and education.
The Better Buildings Workforce Accelerator (BBWA) is a DOE initiative seeking to raise the level of building science and energy efficiency knowledge while ensuring a strong, sizable, and skilled workforce.
The Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) developed the Equity in Energy initiative to expand the inclusion and participation of minorities, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated persons, in all the programs of the Department of Energy and in the private energy sector. In underserved communities, there is often a disconnect when it comes to generating interest in entering the energy sector, and then, in the awareness and the ability to access available opportunities.
2023 Social Equity in the Built Environment Workforce Survey – National Institute of Building Sciences nationwide that reflects diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Accelerating Systemic Change in Higher Education Resources is an open-source resource repository focused on increasing systemic change in higher education by inviting in diversity and inclusivity and integrating sustainability with a focus on STEM disciplines.
Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center – Curriculum Links features samples of current energy conservation, energy management, and advanced HVAC/R certificates, degrees, or courses.
Open Source Educational Materials from Interdisciplinary Teaching About Earth for a Sustainable Future (InTeGrate) offer numerous college-level courses, modules, and other open-source curricular materials covering natural resource sustainability. These vary from materials for a few class hours, to full 14-16 week courses.
HeatSpring is an online educational platform for professionals (and aspiring professionals) specializing in renewable energy, green building, and technologies that address our changing climate.
E-Learning Center from the Better Buildings Solution Center is a compilation of online training and education opportunities from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Better Buildings Affiliates who are working with DOE to promote energy efficiency in U.S. buildings and manufacturing plants. Below is a collection of webinars, courses, and other e-learning resources covering a range of areas relevant to Better Buildings, Better Plants partners.
U.S. Department of Energy STEM Educational Resources offers open-source educational webinars, courses, workshops, trainings, and more from the various offices of the U.S Department of Energy related to STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering).
SUNY Energy Futures: Common Advanced Control Strategies Seminars
As the Sustainability, Education and Economic Development (SEED) Center is a FREE initiative offered by the National Council for Workforce Education, we strive to provide our users with up-to-date information and materials. We encourage you to submit resources or open-source curriculum for possible posting on the SEED Center website.
Note: SEED is managed by a team of higher education experts who vet and curate resources and curriculum. Thus, not all submitted materials will appear on the website.
2023 SEED Center website updates funded by Lumina Foundation
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