×
×
homepage logo

Sustainable Living Institute of Maui offers energy classes

By Staff | Jun 9, 2011

John Bendon of Green Building LLC conducts an energy audit with Sustainable Living Institute of Maui students at the Fabmac Home in Kahului. Photo by Emily Sullivan.

KAHULUI — According to “Hawaii’s Green Workforce: A Baseline Assessment Report,” Maui County has 2,597 “green” jobs.

This figure represents 4.6 percent of all county jobs. By 2012, projections estimate an additional 437 positions available in the “green job” field on Maui.

The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) and VITEC are currently preparing students to transition into these jobs.

Students like Gregg Kresge see the value in this training, “I think these classes raise awareness to the small issues in your home that add up to large amounts. People that take classes like the Home Energy Survey Professional class will be equipped to go into the community and offer a service that will save people money,” he said.

The Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) class trains students in energy efficiency and building science and prepares them to take the nationally recognized Residential Energy Survey Network (RESNET) certification test.

During the HESP class, taught by John Bendon of Green Building LLC, students learn how to conduct energy audits by using high-end performance equipment.

“The class brings a nationally recognized certification program for energy auditing directly to Maui. Students learn the basics of building science and why buildings perform the way they do in our unique climate,” said Bendon.

“Those concepts are combined with energy audit procedures to train students on effective means at reducing the energy impacts of homes. This sort of information can add value not only to homeowners with existing homes, but to those who are designing and building new homes.”

This summer, SLIM and OCET-VITEC located on the University of Hawaii Maui College campus will offer Entry Level and Advanced Photovoltaic classes.

Upcoming fall classes include Photovoltaic Technical Sales, Solar Hot Water, and Small Wind Turbine Design and Insulation, which all lead to nationally recognized certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Funding is available for tuition for eligible participants through Maui Goodwill; call 871-4143. Visit SLIM’s website at www.sustainablemaui.com to learn more about the individual programs.