Green Jobs Education Home
CTE Open House on April 27th from 10am-3pm
Interested in developing a career in the growing green economy? Come learn skills for the Clean Energy sector with the Laney College Green Jobs Education Programs.
The emerging green economy is a place where trained workers can enter careers that not only provide a living wage, but also emphasize the health and well being of the workers as well as the natural environment. These combine the values of Economy, Economy, and Equity (also known as the Three E’s of Sustainability).
Laney College offers education and training programs to help you launch a green career. These programs are ideal if you want to work with your hands, solve technical problems, sell something you believe in, and contribute to your community. The Laney College Green Jobs Education programs train technicians and customer service professionals to serve on the frontlines of water and resource conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy to create a healthy and just community for ourselves and future generations.
Visit our Green Jobs Student Network for more information on the Clean Energy sector and professional resources available through the Laney Green Jobs Programs for students, alumni, instructors, employers and our community to learn and share about green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certification Courses
BPI certification is the nationally recognized standard of excellence for Building Analysts, Shell Specialists, Heating, Air Conditioning, Heat Pump, Multi-family and other Building Performance professionals. BPI certification is rapidly being required to participate in Energy Efficiency retrofit programs in Sonoma, Berkeley, Alameda, San Francisco and other CA municipal programs as well as to participate in the new PGE and other utility rebate programs. This class builds on the content of ECT 28, 38 and 39.
This course provides training in the theory and practice of the science of Building Performance. Individuals who successfully complete this class will have the opportunity to take both the BPI written and field examinations required to become BPI certified as Building Analysts and other classifications. Labs include training and practice using Blower door, Duct blaster, Combustion safety and other required test equipment. Specific practice identifying Combustion appliance zones and creating Worst case depressurization conditions is included.
Energy Efficiency Sales, Auditing and Retrofitting
Learn jobs skills for a career in sales, outreach and customer service for the growing clean energy economy.
Laney College offers a 1 semester Certificate of Achievement (pending state approval) in industry specific sales and customer service skills. This course of study is designed for those who love to work with people, have a passion for customer education, and enjoy selling something they believe in. See the Energy Efficiency Sales and Auditing page for more information.
The course of study includes:
- An introduction to the clean energy economy: energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation.
- Clean energy customer service and sales
- Energy auditing
- Expert training on how to make the financial case for investments in clean energy.
Solar Photovoltaics Design, Sales & Installation Certificate of Achievement
The solar industry is growing rapidly in the Bay Area. To meet the demand for skilled workers in this emerging sector, Laney College is offering The Solar Photovoltaic Design, Sales & Installation program to prepare students for enriching careers. The Certificate of Achievement has been approved locally and is in the process of review for state approval.
Students will learn how to:
- Design solar PV systems.
- Assess the costs and savings for the client resulting from an investment in Solar Photovoltaics.
- Design and deliver a sales pitch on the benefits of an investment in solar.
- Install Solar Photovoltaic systems.
Students will be prepared to take the NABCEP Entry-Level test upon completion.
See the Solar Photovoltaics Design, Sales & Installation page for additional information.
The Building Performance & Energy Efficiency Certificate (BPEEP) (Not currently Offered)
The Building Performance and Energy Efficiency program results in a state-approved Certificate of Achievement. Required courses prepare graduates for careers in residential and light commercial energy efficiency auditing and retrofitting. Students are trained to evaluate the building as a system for opportunities to maximize energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality.
Topics covered include
- Energy Auditing: Evaluate buildings for opportunities to save energy while improving the indoor experience for occupants
- Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency with measures such as insulation, weather stripping, duct sealing and efficient lighting
See the Building Performance & Energy Efficiency Certificate page for course requirements and additional information.
Environmental Controls Technology
The Environmental Controls Technology department offers a certificate and associates degree in heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration. The program provides theoretical content and hands-on labs on refrigeration systems, light commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, boilers, chillers, commercial hydronic HVAC systems, and automated control systems. Students completing the curriculum seek employment as refrigeration technicians, heating, ventilation, air conditioning technicians, sales engineers, equipment and system installers, parts persons, operations and maintenance technicians, building engineers, controls technicians, and energy managers.
