IHM: Green Advantage Training 2008

News Release

Back to News Releases

Michigan Offers First Midwest Training to Certify
Contractors, Tradespeople in Green-Building Skills, Knowledge
Feb. 20, 2008

For the first time in the Midwest, construction workers, tradespeople, subcontractors and contractors can earn certification in state-of-the-art green-building practices.

Green Advantage® certification training will equip individuals with new skills to meet the growing market demand for green building. The training leads to a Green Advantage® Certification exam, which certifies that those who pass possess knowledge of the latest green-building practices, technologies and techniques.

Green Advantage® training, officially launched in Florida in 2001, was initiated with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency and is the result of a collaboration between the Nature Conservancy, Science Applications International Corporation and the University of Florida. Today, Green Advantage® works with participating U.S. Green Building chapters to promote the advancement of their respective educational missions.

The Midwest's first Green Advantage® training, to be held at the IHM Sisters' Motherhouse in Monroe, is scheduled on Thursday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exam will be held on Thursday, April 24, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) at Henry Ford Community College, 3601 Schaefer Road in Dearborn. The one-day training is $450 and several scholarships are available. Participation in the training is limited to 40 persons.

The certification training is being sponsored by the Michigan Energy Office, M-TEC and the IHM Sisters of Monroe, who have earned eight awards for the sustainable renovation of their Motherhouse and have been featured in major national media outlets over the past five years. On March 2 and 3 an NBC "Today" show crew is traveling to Monroe to produce a feature on the renovation to be broadcast on its morning show.

High energy costs and global warming are contributing to a growing interest in green building and many experts say green building is fast becoming recognized as the standard for smart construction. So far 1,200 building-related practitioners have become Green Advantage® certified in order to earn more, stay competitive, get publicity for their green projects and save more on supply-and-disposal costs.

Persons interested in registering for the Green Advantage certification training, or who want more information, can contact Sharon Venier at 734-240-9754 or at svenier@ihmsisters.org.