ARLINGTON, Va. - The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has unveiled a new green building education program designed to make it easier to build and renovate green, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings. The new program, called Building to LEED® for New Construction, Second Edition, is designed to help contractors, designers, and developers successfully navigate the green building certification process and keep their green accreditations current.

“Green building is rapidly changing from a niche market to the industry norm,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the association. “Within a short time, the ability to master the complexities of green construction and certification will be essential to succeeding as a building contractor.”

Sandherr said the association developed Building to LEED to meet the growing demand for green construction and design experts. He noted that the number of green buildings under construction is expected to grow by an estimated 25 percent by 2013. As a result, anyone involved in building construction will need to complete a course like the association’s new program to be successful, Sandherr added.

The association has begun taking orders for the Building to LEED program, which includes Instructor’s Guides and Participants Manuals to be used during the program’s one-day class. In addition to learning green construction and design skills, anyone taking the class will earn 7.5 continuing education credits that can apply to maintaining LEED certification.

For more information on the Building to LEED program, visit www.agc.org/green. AGC said anyone can order the program, which is designed to be used by construction firms, community colleges, joint-apprenticeship training programs, and trade association chapters, among other groups.

Publication date: 08/30/2010