Career Profile
Green Building
A Look at the
Construction Sector
Green Construction: Building to Protect the Environment and Jobs
In previous issues of the Green Careers Journal we have taken a look at careers in
the design and manufacturing sectors of Green Building. In this issue we take a look
at the opportunities that can be found in the construction sector. Although some
of the construction sector careers overlap with design and manufacturing careers,
construction provides the most hands-on opportunities for the green collar worker.
The Driving Force
A green building, or sustainable building, is a structure that is designed, built,
renovated, operated, or reused with an ecological and resource friendly approach.
These buildings are designed and constructed, or retrofitted to reduce the overall
impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by
using energy, water and other resources efficiently; protecting occupant health and
improving employee productivity; and reducing waste and pollution.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB) have set the standards for Green Building in the United States.
USGBC created Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED), a rating system for
all types of green building. Promoting a whole-building approach, LEED provides
an outline for “identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building
design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions” (USGBC). This outline
allots points for the implementation of various sustainability measures. The more
points accrued the higher the rating the building receives.
The National Green Building Standard, developed by the NAHB and the
International Code Council, defines green building specifically for residential
buildings, both new and remodeled. This standard requires that a minimum number
of features related to sustainability be incorporated into the residential structure. As
with LEED, the more points accrued, the higher the rating.
Creating a Need
The development of standards within the green building industry has created a desire
by many to construct the most environmentally friendly buildings possible. That
desire is in turn feeding the need for individuals capable of doing the work.
by Sabine Rogers
efficient has opened up an entirely new field for building trades in the last several
years. This work, which was previously not done, has begun to thrive with the
passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009. This act allocated
$74 billion to the Energy and Housing sectors, a portion of which is going to training
green collar workers and paying for the retrofitting of existing buildings.
What it all means
Whether you’re a construction manager, a carpenter, a plumber, or a cement finisher
there is nothing but opportunity here. People are needed to install solar panels on
the top of homes and buildings. People are needed to install the latest energy efficient
technologies in heating and air conditioning. People are needed to install pervious
concrete. People are needed to weatherize and retrofit structures to make businesses
and homes more efficient.
Fortunately, a lot of training programs, apprenticeship programs, and community
college programs are out there to help individuals develop the skill sets that will
help them to work in these fields (see sidebar). So if you have a background as a
construction trade and are looking to get an edge on the competition, check out your
local community college or the internet for classes in green or sustainable building.
As we look towards the future, designers and architects are developing new
techniques and strategies to go beyond the standards set by the USGBC and NAHB.
The technology involved in green construction and retrofitting is changing, and the
trades are learning to change with it. This evolution in the industry will continue to
drive the need for individuals willing to learn new technologies and capable of doing
the work.
For more information on Green Construction – check out the sidebar below!
If your interest lies in the Design of green structures or Manufacturing green products
used in green construction, take a look at our Nov/Dec 2009 and March/April 2010
issues at www.environmentalcareer.com for information to get you headed in the
right direction!
Check Out These Sites for More Information on Green Construction!
New construction provides some of the best, most immediate opportunities for
individuals looking for a career in Green Building. Some jobs, like solar panel
installers and wind energy technicians, are modern additions to the field. But for the
most part, the labor involved in green construction does not differ significantly from
traditional construction. The same individuals employed in traditional building;
framers, electricians, roofers, and plumbers to name a few, can be employed to build
green with little additional training.
www.nahbgreen.org/resources/education - Part of the National Association of
Home Builders website, this link provides education information including a quick
link to finding a local green building program near you.
Many trades are actually beginning to train and specialize in green construction.
They are enrolling in local community colleges (check out www.khake.com/page84.
html) and learning and applying the newest green building technologies to improve
the energy efficiency of buildings.
www.greenlaborjournal.org - The Green Labor Journal provides up to date
information on new developments in green policy, technology and work processes.
Retrofitting old structures (commercial and residential) to make them more energy
www.usgbc.org – The US Green Building Council website has a wealth of
information on green building as well as a link to sign up for courses and workshops.
www.thegbi.org – The Green Building Initiative offers personal certifications through
training and web based seminars.
www.khake.com – The Vocational Information Center provides users with a wealth
of information on vocational and technical careers. To find schools and training
specifically related to construction trades go to www.khake.com/page84.html
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