Business Takes the Initiative to Employ WARM Training Center Students
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Two years ago small business owner Kevin Bailey set out to hire workers from job training centers that help individuals who are drastically underemployed or chronically unemployed. He offered jobs to graduates of the WARM Training Center in Detroit, Michigan, and now serves on its Employer Advisory Council.
"It was a real human-to-human decision. It was something I cared about and thought was important to do," says Mr. Bailey about his initiative to help jobless workers. "I am aware of the struggles in this tough economy. I want to do my part to help these folks, particularly these folks suffering a long time. Most of them—not all of them—seize the opportunity and make the most of it."
Blanket Insulation, his family-owned business, employs 15 workers to do insulation, weatherization, and energy auditing. When he needed more workers, Mr. Bailey went to the WARM Training Center. Instructors saw great potential in David Cheal, a student who excelled in classroom work and hands-on training. Now he works for Blanket Insulation, as does Omar Thomas, a formerly unemployed driver who completed the training program. Mr. Bailey also hired Lorenzo Ramirez, a top performer in the weatherization training program, for an installer position and has promoted him to supervisor. All three are graduates of WARM's Detroit GreenWorks Solutions Job Training Program.
"They came on board eager to learn and do well. They cared about what they were doing and were delegated more responsibility. They always conduct themselves in a professional manner," said Mr. Bailey. He makes homeowners aware that the weatherization work done by Blanket Insulation will do more than provide comfort to their homes. "The homeowners are contributing to making this a better economy overall by providing jobs to folks who really need it," says Mr. Bailey.
The WARM Training Center has a strong track record for training that leads directly to employment, according to Chris Rutherford, training programs manager. Begun in 1981, the nonprofit organization trains people in weatherization, construction, and energy conservation. Candidates range from people with incomplete high school educations to those holding master's degrees.
Of the 355 people who have started the 10-week weatherization specialist training program, 296 completed the program, and 184 have been placed in sustained jobs. "The numbers are exceptional. For folks who are chronically unemployed, the training has been very transformative," Mr. Rutherford explains. "Our participants leave the program with the most current tools, techniques, and industry practices. They take those skills not only to their new careers, but also back to their own homes and communities with pride and purpose for themselves and the good work that they are doing."
WARM maintains partnerships with community organizations, such as Henry Ford Community College and Focus: HOPE, to carry out workforce development. In 2009, WARM co-founded Detroit GreenWorks Solutions to deliver training for the "Pathways Out of Poverty" program. The program trains and certifies weatherization specialists and creates green jobs in Southeast Michigan. WARM staff members meet regularly with the Employer Advisory Council to discuss market demand for certain jobs and better weatherization practices. "WARM believes that everyone should be doing what they are best at. Our expert training staff provides the core content, but it's together with our strategic partners that we make the program work and adapt to the changing environment," says Mr. Rutherford.
Energy Advisor Call Center Opens Employment Opportunities for Disabled Veterans
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The Veteran Energy Advisor Call Center will connect consumers to knowledgeable energy efficiency professionals. With just a phone call, Colorado residents can turn an energy audit into an action plan. Trained personnel will help consumers make informed decisions, maximize rebate offers, and select contractors to carry out the home energy retrofits listed in the energy audits. |
This interactive approach to home energy efficiency has a high success rate in completion of energy efficiency upgrades. Xcel of Colorado is considering making this approach part of its 2013 Home Performance with the Energy Star program.
A pilot project now under way provides training for call center employees and shows much potential for expanding across Colorado. It is a partnership involving the Colorado State Energy Sector Partnership, Red Rocks Community College, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Veterans Service Programs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Jefferson County Workforce Center.
Equally important, the call center will provide internship employment for disabled veterans. This month 20 veteran candidates are enrolled in building science training at Rocky Mountain Education Center at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado. They are preparing for energy efficiency customer representative certification and will earn 14 credits over a five-week period. In addition, they will acquire customer service skills and receive job coaching and mentoring.
Following completion of this training, five or six students will be offered six-month internships at an actual call center doing energy efficiency client education. Joan Smith, Dean and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Education Center, recognizes the value of this project and seeks to continue and expand it. Colorado State Energy Sector Partnership has provided funding for six months. Marketing efforts to utilities and municipal energy efficiency programs are generating interest for development of the project in other parts of the state. "My goal is to take this project nationwide with pilots in other parts of the country," said Dr. Richard S. Knaub, project leader, Deployment and Market Transformation, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Weatherization Plus Health Web Portal: A Tool for Building Strong, Effective Partnerships
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The new Web portal wxplushealth.org will soon connect federal, state, and local Weatherization and Healthy Homes agencies. With just a few clicks, users will be able to find providers to help supplement their Weatherization and Healthy Homes work and better serve low-income clients. |
Undergoing final testing now, this innovative instrument is expected to be fully operational in late summer. It is designed for use by agencies that provide health and energy efficiency services in low-income homes. "Instead of going to multiple websites, it is a one-stop shop," says Jenae C. Bjelland, Director of Healthy Homes at the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) in Washington, D.C. The public portal uses GIS mapping technology to identify all Healthy Homes programs across the country and includes an inventory of projects funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, and others.
The public portal is just one part of the comprehensive Weatherization Plus Health initiative implemented by NASCSP on behalf of DOE. The initiative seeks to build a bridge between DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Healthy Homes programs across the country. This major research project, done state by state, will answer the questions most asked by practitioners working in low-income homes: "Who else is providing service in the area?" and "Who can help?" NASCSP compiled a list of more than 4,000 of these contacts as the foundation for this interactive resource, and the Web-based portal contains GIS data on the location of WAP and Healthy Homes providers in all 3,056 U.S. counties.
GeoExplorer, a new Web tool designed for use by agencies and individual consumers and a part of the Weatherization Plus Health Web portal, will allow users to view information on radon levels, climate zones, congressional districts, housing stock, and census data. All of this information will be broken down to the county level. As the site develops, NASCSP plans to add more data layers to increase the depth of information available in this single application.
NASCSP provides Weatherization Plus Health training through conferences and webinars to facilitate communication and cooperation among service providers. Six regional conferences were held last year for cross-training, identifying best practices, and strategic planning at the state and local levels. More than 500 representatives from 47 states attended, including state weatherization directors, state Community Action Agencies, and other safety and health organizations. This year, six more conferences will expand upon the work done in the 2011 conferences, offering training and technical assistance to build sustaining partnerships. Additional best practice models and other resources will be made available online and will detail models of collaboration and success. "Agencies are trying to diversify and stay relevant in this new political climate," says Ms. Bjelland. Programs are more likely to succeed and be sustained when they leverage or tap existing funding streams as efficiently as possible. "We have to be savvier about how we connect—show people it is possible and provide examples of how to coordinate funds," she adds.
WAP's mission is to reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. Sometimes WAP is unable to address other issues related to the health and well-being of residents. This project will help to bridge the gap for agencies offering Healthy Homes services. Healthy Homes practitioners address a wide array of health and safety issues, including lead poisoning; asthma intensified by moisture, mold, and pests; exposure to radon and other toxic chemicals; and injury caused by old or dilapidated structures. With the new Web portal, it will be easier for both WAP and Healthy Homes providers to connect clients to resources for all of their housing needs. "The website helps people connect the dots and work together," says Ms. Bjelland. For information, visit www.nascsp.org.
BPI Expands Green Job Connection
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The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) has expanded the reach of the Green Jobs Connection by forming a partnership with the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP). |
The Green Jobs Connection is an initiative that links BPI certified workers employed in the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to jobs within BPI's network of private home performance contractors. BPI certified professionals can post their resumes on BPI's Green Job Connection website (www.bpi.org/greencollar.aspx), and any contractor or organization seeking to hire BPI certified professionals can post job vacancies.
NASCSP will engage state WAP agencies and their local agencies' workers and contractors to maximize networking possibilities for weatherization workers and contracting companies. Many WAP professionals face unemployment as funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 diminishes.
BPI and the National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) launched the Green Jobs Connection in 2011. NCAF informs its network of local community delivery agencies and their workers about the career opportunities available through the website listings.
Weatherization Twitter Hashtag #wxwks
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You can now follow weatherization activities and updates using the twitter hash tag #wxwks. We have started tweeting items of interest to the WAP network, but can use your help. If you have a specific and relevant topic you would like the network to know about, share it using the new hashtag. |
On the Horizon
Partnerships and Evaluation Workshop
June 4-6, Golden, Colorado
ACI California Home Performance Conference
June 5-6, Sacramento, California
ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
August 12-17, Pacific Grove, California
EEBA: 2012 Excellence in Building Conference and Expo
September 25-27, Scottsdale, Arizona
2012 NASCSP Annual Conference
September 11-14, Atlanta, Georgia
ACI Mid-Atlantic Home Performance Conference
October 1-2, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NCAF Energy and Community Economic Development Conference
October 21-25, St. Petersburg, Florida
CEWEC Conference
November 13-15, Albany, New York
Accreditation Tip: Forget Hyperlinks
Candidates seeking training program accreditation can expect to hand in reams of documents. They need to submit complete and well-organized information to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) to receive consideration by IREC's Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) Accreditation and Certification Programs.
Taking shortcuts, such as simply supplying hyperlinks, will not get the job done. Sometimes hyperlinks break, expire, or require a password. Assessors want to review paper copies of all critical documents, including curricula, financial reports, and evaluations.
Key instruction documents can be found at the IREC website http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/ispq-training-accreditation/.
Weatherization Accreditation Tool Helps Guide WTCs
The Weatherization Accreditation Tool (WAT) serves as an organizer for training centers preparing an application packet for accreditation. The tool helps guide users through the accreditation process. It offers references and best practice information.
WAT was adopted from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's (IREC) Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) accreditation application. It was developed and designed by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
WAT is available for download on the Weatherization Training Centers (WTCs) SharePoint entry page: http://www.orau.gov/wap/wtc/. Not a SharePoint member? It is easy to access the SharePoint site. Go to the same website and click on Request Access. You will receive an e-mail in two or three days from ORISE with instructions for receiving your new password.
WTCs can request tutorial support from ORISE educational and training specialists during the application process. Candidates can ask ORISE to review the package before it is submitted to possibly identify areas that may need improvement. WTCs can also request help for training and technical assistance.
May 31 Deadline for Subsidy Program Funded Through IREC
Qualified Weatherization Training Centers (WTCs) can take advantage of a subsidy program funded through the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). The program will allow WTCs to be reimbursed for fees associated with administering written and practical exams for the four new Home Energy Professional certifications being piloted by the Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI).
WTCs must notify IREC of their intent to participate in the program by May 31.
To qualify, a WTC must do the following:
- Meet the requirements to receive a subsidy for IREC Energy Efficiency Training Program accreditation. This entails having a documented relationship with a Weatherization Assistance Program grantee or sub-grantee to provide training to WAP workers.
- Be an IREC accredited Energy Efficiency Training Program, or make a commitment to submit an application to IREC for Energy Efficiency Training Program accreditation by December 31.
The exam subsidy program is only valid during the BPI pilot testing period. The number of total exams available under the subsidy program will not exceed 800 written exams and 800 practical exams. The exams will be divided among the WTCs participating in the program and can be reallocated as needed to complete the pilot program in a timely manner.
Reimbursement for pilot exams can be claimed only upon submission and acceptance by IREC of a complete application for Energy Efficiency Training Program accreditation. For information, contact Richard Knaub, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, richard.knaub@nrel.gov.
