Weatherization Technician

On October 1, 2010, Job Corps launched the Weatherization Technician advanced training program at the Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Potomac Job Corps Centers.

Lasting approximately four months, the new program teaches students weatherization building science, methods to identify air leakage, and other building-efficiency weaknesses, ducting, and venting. The program prepares students to receive the Residential Building Envelope Accessible Areas Air Leakage Control Installer certification offered by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).

"We've already been out in the community meeting with employer partners, and we've found that graduates from this program will be in high demand," said Jeffrey Barton, former center director of the Potomac Job Corps Center. "Our top priority is to make sure our students receive the most cutting-edge training and skills to be successful, and thanks to the Recovery Act funds, we're able to add an additional career technical training program that supports this goal."

The Potomac Job Corps Center used $156,000 in ARRA funds to launch the Weatherization Technician program, hire an instructor, and purchase new materials.

Potomac has developed a relationship with Capitol Energy Group Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based employer specializing in weatherization techniques. Capitol Energy Group offered advice on training guidelines, and expressed interest in hiring Job Corps graduates.

"Partnering with Job Corps is a great move for our business," said Norman Jones, president and CEO of Capitol Energy Group. "As a weatherization company, we're always looking for skilled employees in this field, and now thanks to Job Corps and its new Weatherization Technician program, we'll have access to a pool of graduates already trained and ready to go to work for us."

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