The future of sustainability evolves from, and depends on, the students who will grow to be leaders in the industry. There is a growing need for the creation of a Green Building Tech Program for students that will soon be emerging professionals in the field. The US Green Building Council Massachusetts Chapter (USGBC MA) will be introducing students to the green industry and the various career paths that exist.  

 

The initial pilot academy is residing at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, a Boston Public School, that is a science technology engineering math (STEM) school. Our program intends to become a model for green “skills” awareness for other career technical education schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond our borders.

 

The Green Tech Program will offer a series of afterschool “green facilities career” presentations from various local professionals, a series of tours to the many high‐performance buildings nearby, and a trip to the Greenbuild expo hall for networking opportunity. At the end of the school year, students in the program will have the opportunity to become GlPRO certified. Madison Park is Boston’s only career and technical education high school and is a member of SkillsUSA; a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

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The intent is for this program to become a bridge for students interested in pursuing careers in the trades with an eye toward sustainability. We will be collaborating with other organizations, such as YouthBuild Boston, and local colleges and universities to strengthen the program continuity. Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Environmental Collaborative (student sustainability program since 1997) has committed to be mentors for Madison Park students in the Program. Commitment from Madison Park Development Corp and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center are being secured so students can leave the program with summer youth internships and jobs in green facilities management.