Lakes Region Community College (LRCC), with the assistance of a NH Division of Economic Development sponsored grant, announces that the initial 2009 Building Performance Institute (BPI) Energy Certification statewide trainings have been a success. To date, 84 students have completed the rigorous six-and-a-half-day training program in Laconia, Littleton, Nashua, and Concord.
“The BPI statewide trainings are designed to prepare individuals to satisfactorily complete the BPI Building Analyst Certification written and field tests,” says Andy Duncan, Ph.D. (Bow), Principal, Building Energy Technologies, LLC, the main instructor of LRCC’s statewide course. “It has been exciting to be at the forefront of the green movement in the State.” Duncan was a professor of Environmental Science at New England College (Henniker) from 1997 to 2003 before entering his own business.
LRCC Statewide Building Analyst Certification Trainer, Andy Duncan (left), talks with former student, Eric Halter (Concord-right), prior to a Community College System of NH Board of Trustees meeting held earlier this month.
The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI), a nationally recognized standards development and contractor credentialing organization for residential energy efficiency retrofit work, reported exponential growth in 2009. BPI affiliate training organizations grew by more than 35% through August of 2009, from 70 to 95, and 108 training affiliates were expected to be on board by the end of 2009, an increase of almost 300% over 12 months.
“Given the rise of green jobs and the need for energy auditors statewide, the NH Public Utilities Commission grant with the NH Division of Economic Development as the sponsoring partner, is tremendous news for New Hampshire,” says NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director, Roy Duddy. “This training will not only allow more NH businesses and residents to become more energy efficient, it will also provide an excellent career path for interested students.”
Students completing the training satisfactorily and who pass the coveted BPI Building Analyst certification may become energy auditors, analysts, building operators, resource conservation managers, technical service representatives, and measurement and verification technicians.
For additional information, contact LRCC Academic Affairs Vice President Tom Goulette (Belmont) or Administrative Secretary Andree Thibault (Concord), at 524-3207.
“College personnel are very pleased to partner with the Division of Economic Development to provide energy auditor training throughout New Hampshire,” says LRCC President, Dr. Mark Edelstein (Laconia). “The partnership will enable us to offer the course at a significantly reduced cost, making it much easier for people to get this training and prepare for jobs in the rapidly expanding green economy.”