certificates & sustainability ed for staff

Simona Fischer

Director of Sustainable Practice and Associate

MSR Design

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

December 3, 2024

As part of my goal to increase staff education frequency, I'd like to introduce some training and certificate programs into the mix. I wonder what programs others have recommended to staff? Not just attending conferences (low accountability) or CEUs, but things like the Parsons Healthy Materials Certificate, or Phius/PHN passive house accreditation. I have heard that some firms require staff to become LEED AP as a way to mandate a certain level of training and required CEUs.

Do you have other certificate/credential/training recommendations, where staff end up with something to show for their time invested, and accountability to complete the course or test to earn the credential?

Post a reply

Cory Hawbecker

Principal & Sustainability Director

Holst Architecture

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Tue, 12/03/2024 - 16:13

I've found PHIUS training to be one of the best in terms of actually changing the way you develop projects by giving you a deep understanding about the fundamental building science behind how heat, air and moisture actually work.

Harry Flamm

Senior Sustainability Consultant

Stantec Architecture

LEEDuser Premium Member

20 thumbs up

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 15:59

For a foundational understanding of Sustainability as it relates to our work, and not too heavy a lift, I highly recommend the LEED Green Associate (GA) training and credentialing. It is also actually the prerequisite exam for any of the LEED AP+ exams. The LEED GA v4 study guide by ATP publishers, is quite good and can be used for self-teaching or along with some free online tutorials. After that, staff can pursue if they want, individual LEED AP+ credentials suited to their specialty.
I agree with Cory, that PH training is excellent for the technical and building science aspect, and it is where all our work is heading. There are also non-technical/informational PH programs for easier digestion.
The Parsons materials program is excellent (I took it), though -- due to its home-work of 140 videos! -- I'd direct this mostly to interior designers or those focused on interior materials and finishes. Parsons also has other, shorter, informational videos to choose from. You could compose your own syllabus for staff.
Lastly, incorporating sustainability-training as a box to check into the annual staff review process is a way to push these things forward.

Harry Flamm
Stantec Architecture

Heather DeGrella

Sustainable Design Director, Associate Principal

Opsis Architecture

LEEDuser Premium Member

54 thumbs up

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 18:02

Hi Simona, Opsis requires architecture and interiors staff to get their LEED GA credential to develop/demonstrate a base level, holistic understanding of sustainability. This should be followed up with a second training or certification of their choosing. We keep a running resource list for this (PHIUS, Parsons, WELL, LEED Specialty, Biophilic Design Certificate, Living Future Accreditation etc) and link to this article https://trellis.net/article/40-sustainability-certifications/ There has been push back lately on our requirement for the second training, with some staff wanting to focus elsewhere citing limited time, on training related to specifications, DBIA, etc. So our program is in flux. Heather DeGrella AIA, LEED Fellow, Fitwel Ambassador, LFA | (she / her / hers) Associate Principal | Sustainable Design Director Registered architect in Oregon [cid:opsis_rgb_blue_1c67de12-b325-4318-95e7-0704d8f48949.png] Architecture, Interiors & Planning 975 SE Main St. Portland, OR 97214 o 503.525.9511 d 503.943.6228 w opsisarch.com