Lead Performer: Lane Community College – Eugene, OR
Partner: University of Oregon – Eugene, OR
DOE Total Funding: $499,844
Cost Share: $142,600
Project Term: October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2022
Funding Type: Advanced Building Construction FOA Award
Project Objective
To help satisfy demand for skilled and “future-focused” workers under the DOE ABC program, Lane Community College (LCC) and the University of Oregon (UO) will partner to establish a new workforce development pipeline intended to increase throughput of highly qualified graduates with hands-on experience in improving building energy efficiency. By leveraging our relationships with nationally distributed employers, we aim to establish the Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship (BECA) Program, which will be recognized across state boundaries and will be accessible to students regardless of their geographic location.
Students who successfully complete the BECA program will be able to reduce energy use in medium to large commercial buildings and campuses by at least 30%, through recommissioning and identifying opportunities to improve HVAC, lighting, and other building systems. They will learn the day-to-day operations of the facility, in particular becoming familiar with the building automation system and evaluating data coming from embedded sensors, equipment, and hardware to identify potential energy savings.
Project Impact
The BECA program will help create a workforce pipeline that qualifies students to take the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) ANSI 17024 Accredited Certified Energy Management (CEM) Certification exam. They will also have earned their associates of applied science (AAS) degree, and will have opportunities to sit for the Building Operator Certification (BOC) exam and the forthcoming Association of Controls Professionals (ACP) certification exam.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Madeline Salzman, Madeline.Salzman@ee.doe.gov
Lead Performer: Roger Ebbage, Lane Community College