Article Series:
Center for Sustainability at Johnson College
Part 2
One of the current initiatives of the Center for Sustainability at Johnson College is weatherization training.
In October 2009, Governor Edward G. Rendell devoted $1.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to the development of a weatherization workforce in Pennsylvania.
The investment would allow more than 1,000 Pennsylvanians to pursue weatherization career pathways. A statement from Governor Rendell’s office, explained, “The awards and training are part of a joint effort by the departments of Labor & Industry and Community and Economic Development to enhance a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) that will provide training and career-focused employment to Pennsylvania’s workforce, create green jobs, improve residential energy efficiency and speed the commonwealth’s economic recovery.”
Six grant recipients were chosen to become certified weatherization training providers. These providers now help identify, train and certify workers to complete high-quality energy reduction, conservation and weatherization activities in approximately 29,000 single- and multi-family homes across Pennsylvania. As one of the grant recipients, Johnson College was awarded $132,000 to provide this specialized training.
Johnson College is currently one of only seven weatherization training providers in the state. The College offers certified weatherization training to individuals living in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.
Weatherization focuses on making homes more energy efficient, maximizing energy and minimizing costs. Weatherization procedures include, but are not limited to, window and door replacement, weather stripping, attic insulation, and heating and cooling equipment repair and replacement.
The training that Johnson College is providing is the first of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania. All training takes place at Simplex Industries in Scranton. Simplex, a leader in modular home production, is a strong advocate of green building practices.
Currently, students can receive certification as Installers, Crew Chiefs, and Auditors. Under supervision, Weatherization Installers install weatherization materials and repair home items that relate to energy efficiency. Weatherization Crew Chiefs provide supervision for a weatherization crew. Weatherization Auditors perform energy audits on homes to determine weatherization measures and home repairs required to improve energy efficiency.
Johnson College’s weatherization training courses began in February 2010. Since that time, Johnson College has fully trained and certified 41 students as Installers. 35 additional students are currently enrolled in the training and are on the path to becoming certified Installers, Crew Chiefs, or Auditors.
“Weatherization training is becoming an integral part of Johnson College and its Continuing Education department. This is an emerging industry and we are excited about the prospect of training individuals for new jobs in such a difficult economy,” stated Marie Allison, Johnson College’s Director of Continuing Education.
Prospective weatherization students can contact their nearest PA CareerLink® office for enrollment information. Visit http://www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us for details.
A website for the Center for Sustainability at Johnson College will be available soon. Until then, visit www.johnson.edu for updates.
Center for Sustainability at Johnson College Article Series:
* Part 1 – Johnson College Announces Center for Sustainability
* Part 2 – Weatherization Training Prospers at Johnson College
* Part 3 – Center for Sustainability Announces Lecture Series
* Part 4 – Lecture Series Capstone Scheduled
* Part 4 UPDATE – Lecture Series Capstone Cancelled
Be sure to check out the ‘Center for Sustainability at Johnson College: Weatherization’ video:
From left to right: Dominick Carachilo ‘82, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Johnson College; Paul Caruso, Vice President of Operations, Simplex Industries, Inc.; Marie Allison, Director of Continuing Education, Johnson College; David Pistner, Weatherization Training Director, PA Department of Labor & Industry; David Boniello ‘84, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Simplex Industries, Inc.
Recent graduates of Johnson College’s Weatherization Tactics class (April 12 – 15, 2010).
From left to right (Back Row): Mike Stanley, Scranton; Vince Verrone, Scranton; Jeremy Dabulewicz, Montrose; Robert Patricio, Swoyersville; Harry Mincer, Montrose; Ed Balada, Montrose
From left to right (Front Row): Anthony Kissolovege, Scranton; Bill Mullen, Scranton; Joe Strong, Scranton; Nicole Conrad, Montrose; Donald Clune, Waymart, PA
Missing from Photo: James Dougher, Jr., Scranton
Love to see that colleges are gearing up to train more home repair professionals in energy efficiency. In the coming years, more homeowners are going to need this service as energy prices skyrocket. As the owner of a home repair and handyman company in Cincinnati – http://www.mastermylist.com – I can tell you that the interest in this subject is on the rise in my area and that more trade schools are going to need to add this subject to their curriculum. Keep up the great work!
Kudos to you, it would be assume if more schools around the nation were offering weatherization career pathways. We need to save energy, we need to create jobs. It just makes so much sense keep cost down for heating homes, save energy, put people to work… if only our politicians would put more money into programs like this we’d all be better off.
I applaud your efforts in Lowering the Nations Energy Consumption by adding Weatherization to peoples homes and business. I have a Green and Eco friendly website at: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com. I allow guest posts for people to share their Green and Eco Friendly Information. Send Articles for publication to: scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
Weatherization is a huge deal in the east where temperatures fall and humidity can make indoor weather difficult to maintain. Oddly enough, in the desert southwest, we have a very similar but opposite problem, which is receiving very little attention. I am glad to see a quality school addressing the issue of weatherization, perhaps it will start a trend in other parts of the country.
Anything we can do to save the planet should be at the top of our priority lists. This is a good effort that should be applauded!
Very nice to see. It’s great that you guys are taking an approach to training contractors in energy efficiency.
Kudos to you, it would be assume if more schools around the nation were offering weatherization career pathways. We need to save energy, we need to create jobs.
Amazing guys. For a bunch of us Aussies, who are trying to keep up with the world on these issues, it’s great to see you guys leading the way too.
Glenn Twiddle
Real Estate Training
It is the first time i come here.I have been reading your articles during my lunch break, and I have to admit the whole article has been very valuable and very well written. It will be helped everybody.Hopefully things get back on track soon
Good article , it should be code on new construction. It does not cost much additionally but has a tremendous impact .
@Glenn: Definitely agree with you big fella.. It’s a great thing that Aussies are doing these for our sake….
Great and informative blogs! Just keep on posting more information.
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself. Curtis Johnson Realty
It is great to know that the Center for Sustainability at Johnson College is helping out the environment in their efforts to educate about weatherization. Mitigating the impacts of many homes to the environment.
I’m really is good aussie’s are doing these for our sake; I definitely agree, Glenn
There will come a time when a lot of current homeowners will have to rent
As the economy worsens and the 30 yr mortgage turns extinct the population will turn to renting and look for more efficient ways in energy for their homes.
It’s fantastic to see Pennsylvania investing into worthwhile causes like training and career-focused employment to their workforce, green jobs, improved residential energy efficiency and speed the commonwealth’s economic recovery.” With so many cuts these days, it’s a relief to see some investment in these areas.
This is great to see. I am glad you guys are taking the necessary actions to ensure your contractors have the proper training in energy efficiency.
I agree with you saskatoon home. Contractors should be properly trained in energy efficiency.Boise Real Estate
Very nice to see. It’s great that you guys are taking an approach to training contractors in energy efficiency.
Creating jobs is one focus of the Obama administration and another is environmental awareness and protection. The Center for Sustainability at Johnson College by providing weatherization training is helping to get to these goals.
It is good to see you all together. I wish I were part of your team.
this is such a good career! indeed amazing! great job!
Oh that is awesome keep it up…
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