Lesley@Everblue2's blog

If you look at the most innovative companies, they are usually the most eco-friendly. There’s something about innovation that breeds energy efficient practices. It’s as if individuals are thinking outside the box about new ways to do the same work, and that leads to efficiency. I think we’re onto something!

One example of this comes from General Growth Properties, a real estate investment trust based in Chicago, IL. The company owns and manages shopping malls throughout the United States.

Last week’s ACI National Home Performance Conference in Baltimore, MD was a large success. It felt like home being among so many individuals passionate about residential energy efficiency. Everblue staff enjoyed the blend of opportunities available during the conference, including attending educational seminars, networking at the exhibition booth, presenting to others, and participating in after-hours events.

Studies have shown that among all the clean energy occupations out there, jobs relating to solar and renewable energy have shown the steadiest incline. In the last 10 years, solar photovoltaic (PV) jobs have remained in the top 15 sectors of green jobs growth.

There’s been a lot of debate as to whether or not green jobs have staying power in a down economy. What makes green jobs more sustainable (forgive the pun) than regular jobs? The largest reason why green industries remain attractive in times of downturn is the sheer fact that energy efficiency and renewable energy both result in cost savings and resilience in the face of rising costs. The issues that people worry about during a recession are the same issues being addressed through green jobs.

I would like to stress the importance of attending conferences and the exposure to many opportunities for continued education. In many cases, a certification from an organization like RESNET or BPI is a starting point to an entry-level position. We are involved in an expanding and evolving industry, and it is important to stay up-to-date with what is going on in our industry.

I recently attended the 2012 RESNET Building Performance Conference in Austin, TX. Some of the benefits I was able to experience from attending the conference included the following:

One of the most talked about green jobs of the moment is the energy manager. With rising energy costs and increased awareness, energy efficiency professionals are turning to their resumes for an answer to how they can keep up with this rapidly growing industry. The answer involves a slight career change.

Welcome to the corporate blog for Everblue Training Institute! Everblue is the nation’s leading sustainability education and green jobs training provider. We offer training courses that benefit construction and building professionals, providing them with the skill sets that make them a valuable asset to the sustainability and green building industries. Our courses prepare students for certification exams on the following topics: LEED Accreditation, BPI Certification, RESNET Certification, NATE Certification, Solar, and Corporate Sustainability.

More and more organizations are starting to adopt sustainable business practices, to the point where they are actually creating sustainability departments. The goal of a sustainability department is to help a company ensure its long-term future by analyzing supply chain procedures and adapting them to allow a more efficient and cost-effective process.

If you are an HVAC professional, you may be debating whether it is worth it for you to achieve an HVAC certification, such as NATE. Because HVAC work primarily focuses on the health and safety of citizens, education and experience are critical characteristics for any HVAC technician. A technician who has pursued NATE Certification, therefore, demonstrates a serious commitment to the industry and will likely receive a greater salary than a regular HVAC technician.

President Obama’s State of the Union address last week charged individuals and federal agencies to work toward energy independence and clean energy. Municipal governments have responded to such charges by developing their own sustainability plans. Community leaders have taken on the responsibility and aim to reevaluate procedures that negatively contribute to climate change.