Train to Sustain Academy™

Green Workforce Development

Mission Statement:

The Train to Sustain program provides comprehensive green job training to build an inclusive infrastructure of skilled professionals to meet the demands of the emerging green economy. Train to Sustain courses implement practical and concrete solutions to prepare workers to achieve economic and environmental sustainability.

Description of Courses:

Energy Efficiency Training will greatly benefit those looking to enter the green collar workforce and provide tools for building industry professionals to develop skills that can meet the demands of a new energy economy.

Home Energy Assessment Course

Participants will receive a comprehensive education in sustainability, the fundamentals of basic building science and the skills to perform visual assessments and make recommendations to improve energy and water efficiency. Other topics include: indoor air quality, safety and career development. The program utilizes traditional classroom training combined with field instruction.

Energy Diagnostic Testing Course

Participants will receive a comprehensive education in sustainability and will learn to use sophisticated equipment such as: blower doors; duct blasters; infrared cameras and combustion testing equipment. Participants will gain the ability to recognize the cost saving energy efficiency and water conservation solutions and prepare a computer generated customer report. Other topics include: indoor air quality, safety and career development. The program utilizes traditional classroom training combined with field instruction.

Future Train to Sustain Academy™ Courses

Green Building Overview

- Certifications
- Local Green Building Ordinance
- Products and Services

Renewable Energy

- Solar PV
- Solar Thermal
- Geo-thermal

Environment and Sustainability Education

- Business Case for E&S Education/Success Stories
- E&S Program Implementation
- Training Materials


INSTRUCTORS

Josh Gould

Josh has over 20 years of experience in the residential energy efficiency industry. His background focused on energy efficiency and safety during the construction of new and remodeling of existing residential buildings. An extensive and intensive training phase through the 1980’s during his employment with a non-profit weatherization agency introduced Josh to a “whole house” approach to energy auditing, which included indoor air movement testing and diagnosis. Josh has personally performed over 10,000 energy audits within the residential energy auditing trade as an independent contractor and an employee associated with several utility companies, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. Josh has trained and instructed contractors, employees, and utility representatives while managing and coordinating several energy auditing programs. He has also worked as a volunteer donating his experience and time testing building projects for Habitat for Humanity. Josh has been a certified energy auditor in Massachusetts, Montana and is currently a certified HERS rater in California. He is a professional member of the CBPCA, RESNET and an Energy Star partner. He is a certified infrared thermographer, a RESNET Green Rater and a Super Good Sense Builder.

Steve Rush

Steve graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a strong background in Chemistry. He earned a Master’s degree from Duke University in Forestry, concentrating in plant physiology. While still in college, he spent 6 months as an assistant researcher in the Environmental Sciences division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Steve worked as a general contractor for several years in Atlanta, GA. A strong science background and extensive construction experience gives him the skill and understanding needed to conduct inspections and access indoor environmental problems. Steve is a Registered Environmental Assessor with the state of California, an Asbestos Building Inspector and has the following certifications with the American Indoor Air Quality Association: Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, Certified Microbial Consultant, Certified Indoor Air Quality Consultant and Certified Mold Remediation Supervisor. Steve is an advisor to the Board of Directors for the non-profit corporation Green and Beyond, Inc. which educates and promotes the use of non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials and products. Steve has inspected and consulted on more than 1,000 cases concerning indoor environmental issues and has testified in court as an expert witness concerning indoor environmental issues.

Ron Schwolsky

Ron hails from New York City and attended Hartwick College and Pace University with studies concentrating in economics, management and marketing. Ron’s background includes: Wall Street broker for over 15 years in International Finance and Money Markets and a Los Angeles area Realtor for over 10 years. Ron is a LEED® Accredited Professional and a California licensed General Contractor specializing in whole-house energy efficiency retrofits. He recently led the ZENERGY House Project, a net zero-energy, green whole house remodel with 28 corporate sponsors. Ron holds a California Realtors license, is a Certified EcoBroker and has completed the Home Performance with Energy Star contractor training program.

Tammy Schwolsky

Tammy is a LEED® Accredited Professional; Certified Green Building Professional, GreenPoint Rater, HERS Rater; completed the Home Performance with Energy Star contractor program and a member of the USGBC-LA Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee. Tammy specializes in green building, sustainability strategies and building science based residential audits and retrofits. Her advocacy work includes community and industry outreach and education, especially for people of disadvantaged communities. She has truly enjoyed her dialogues with students from Elementary, Middle and High Schools during her presentations at inner-city schools throughout Los Angeles. Tammy has been interviewed for her green expertise by the LA Times, Angelino magazine and has been featured on Discover Channel’s Planet Green show Renovation Nation and The Fine Living Channel’s “Real Estate Confidential”. She has given presentations for California Utility Collaboration Co-sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy; UCLA Green Business Entrepreneurial Seminar Co-Sponsored by the National Society of Hispanic MBAs and the National Black MBA Association Los Angeles Chapters; The Ventura County Real Estate Expo and California Real Estate Inspection Association.