Five Training Providers Receive IREC Accreditation, Supporting Careers in Home Energy Performance
With hundreds of thousands of new jobs in clean energy industries each year, establishing credibility and ensuring quality in training and education is a top priority. In industries like energy efficiency, solar energy, and battery storage, skilled professionals are essential for ensuring efficiency, safety, and consumer satisfaction. For over a decade, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has filled this need by providing nationally recognized and industry-backed accreditation and certification for clean energy training programs and professionals.
IREC credentials are a mark of excellence, recognized nationally for their rigorous standards. They assure students, employers, and funders that the training is high quality and meets industry demands. Many IREC credential holders provide training to participants in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which supports energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households. Other IREC-credentialed programs support training for those entering the solar industry.
IREC has now accredited more than 200 training programs and has certified more than 100 instructors. The IREC credential is valid for five years, with annual reporting affirming continued commitment to the standard and quality training practices.
“The IREC accreditation … solidifies our reputation as a high-quality training center committed to meeting rigorous industry standards.”
Richard DeYoung, Program Manager, SMOC Green Jobs Academy
Last month, IREC credentialed five training providers in weatherization job task analyses (JTAs), which represent careers that trainees can enter in home energy performance. One of these, the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, was newly accredited, while four others were re-accredited for the second time, representing more than ten years of recognition. (To learn more, read our profiles of the Energy Auditor, Retrofit Installer Technician, Crew Leader, and Quality Control Inspector positions.)
Meet the Five Accredited Training Providers
Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC), a newly accredited organization in Kernersville, North Carolina, was awarded training provider credentials for the Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector positions. As a first-time applicant, PTRC went through a rigorous assessment of their own policies and procedures to meet the IREC Standard. They showed a commitment to quality training, safety, and continuous improvement.
The Energy Smart Academy at Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was re-accredited for the Energy Auditor, Quality Control Inspector, Crew Leader, and Retrofit Installer Technician JTAs. Although not a first-time applicant, their re-accreditation was no less rigorous. They completed an internal audit of their training programs to ensure their compliance with the IREC Standard and showcased their ongoing success in weatherization training.
SMOC Green Jobs Academy (GJA) in Marlborough, Massachusetts also received re-accreditation for Energy Auditor, Quality Control Inspector, Crew Leader, and Retrofit Installer Technician. Richard DeYoung, Program Manager at SMOC Green Jobs Academy, shared that “the IREC accreditation is crucial for GJA as it solidifies our reputation as a high-quality training center committed to meeting rigorous industry standards. This recognition will further strengthen our position as a trusted provider of weatherization education and training in the region.”
Slipstream, a long time credential holder based in Madison, Wisconsin and a partner organization on IREC’s Green Workforce Connect career platform, was re-accredited for Quality Control Inspector after first receiving accreditation in 2014. Slipstream has shown time and time again the thoroughness of their policies and procedures and reached hundreds of students through their high-quality training.
Indoor Climate Research & Training in Champaign, Illinois received re-accreditation for Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector. Through their assessment, they received a commendation for their unparalleled commitment to safety in their training center, one of the key aspects of IREC Accreditation. When asked why ICRT was pursuing IREC Accreditation, Kristopher Chapman, Program Manager at Indoor Climate Research and Training, shared that “IREC Accreditation lends significant weight to the certifications we provide to our students and helps make them more knowledgeable and marketable.”
All five organizations are exceptional models for training in the building performance field, which is one of the crucial building blocks of our clean energy transition. These training programs incorporate engaging, real-world activities into their courses, promote a focus on safety, and boast policies that ensure continuous improvement in each training center. The four job roles highlighted in these credentials are all fundamental parts of the weatherization industry.
Building performance careers make an impact on communities and improve the environment while helping families save money and live in healthier, safer homes. Typically, jobs in the Weatherization Assistance Program include access to free training and credentialing opportunities that are covered by their employers. You can learn more about career opportunities in weatherization by checking out IREC’s resources on Green Workforce Connect.
IREC credentials are an excellent way for training providers to highlight their training centers to prospective students, employers, and other clean energy collaborators. We are excited to announce a new Application Guide that will be published in early 2025, giving training centers a useful resource with tips, guidance, and recommendations for a streamlined application process. Interested in learning more about IREC credentials for your training center? Reach out to credentialing@irecusa.org for more information on how to get started.
