Perhaps no area of the construction or real estate industries has received as much attention as sustainable and green construction methods. And rightly so. Amongst climate change politicking and rising fuel costs, sustainable construction materials and methods have become an essential industry-wide skill.
Unfortunately, the educational infrastructure to train a new generation of construction entrepreneurs and contractors in sustainable technology and business practices has not been on pace with the speed of technological change. New building materials, like more efficient concrete, and standard building practices are constantly evolving and it’s helpful to be equipped with the knowledge and skill-set to thrive in this burgeoning sector of the construction industry.
To address this recent influx of sustainable technology and practices, many recognized construction and engineering programs at traditional institutions have developed new sustainable and green energy and construction curriculums.
Just a few years ago, only specialty schools offered sustainable courses in these fields. Today, top-ranked construction programs like Drexel University, Stanford University and the University of Florida offer sustainability and green construction degrees and certificates both on-campus and online.
The online construction and green energy is especially appealing for construction managers and professionals seeking experience and accreditation in this special field without giving up their day job.
Programs like Drexel’s online Certificate in Sustainability and Green Construction prepares construction managers and professionals to face the daunting task of providing a building environment in harmony with the natural environment. The curriculum focuses on the skills needed to meet the sustainable demands of the architectural, engineering, and construction community. All of these degree and certificate programs teach students the sustainable aspects of the construction process and explore the concepts outlined in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system in great detail.
The LEED certification provides building owners and operators with a framework that helps identify and implement green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.(1)
Such initiatives developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and similar organizations have led the way in encouraging builders and owners to review more sustainable construction options.
Of course, it’s necessary to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to utilize the best sustainable practices, in addition to developing the plans to produce these new techniques. Certificate programs are a good way to begin investigating sustainable construction and learning the initial steps in implementing green construction plans. Some certificate programs are more in-depth than others, and there are now even Master’s degrees that allow students to concentrate on a particular specialty, such as sustainable and green construction.
The key to finding the right sustainable and green construction certificate depends on finding the right accreditation, curriculum and schedule to fit your professional and personal needs.
You must log in to post a comment.