Advanced Education Training

Increasing customer demand for green building design, construction, and operation means industry professionals may need to learn new skills. Western Pennsylvania colleges, universities, and professional associations are stepping up to meet the educational demands of green building industry stakeholders with innovative opportunities for advanced education and training.

Green Building Alliance seeks to help regional educational institutions and professional organizations evolve their offerings in green building education. GBA also helps organizations collaborate to identify and fill gaps in local green building education programs.

GBA’s current directory of Western Pennsylvania educational programs and professional organizations related to green building and operation includes the following organizations. To suggest an additional organization that provides advanced green building education, please contact GBA at (412) 431-0709 or info@gbapgh.org.

Local Organizations
Professional Organizations
Colleges, Universities, and Higher Education Opportunities

Local Organizations

Conservation Consultants, Inc.: A non-profit organization whose mission is responsible energy use in homes and other buildings; offers a range of energy consulting services and energy education programs to improve energy efficiency and comfort in new and existing buildings.

Healthy Home Resources: Supports communities and families in creating and maintaining healthy homes free from in-home hazards like lead poisoning. Healthy Home Resources administers two well-known lead poisoning prevention programs: CLEARCorps/Pittsburgh (Community Lead Education And Reduction Corps) and The Lead Safe Pittsburgh Coalition.

Manchester Craftsmen's Guild: Manchester Craftsmen's Guild is a multi-discipline, minority directed, center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community.

Pennsylvania Resources Council: A nonprofit citizens' action organization that seeks solutions to environmental problems through dialogue among industry, government and grass-roots organizations.

Sustainable Pittsburgh: A non-partisan, civic forum that advocates the integration of economic growth, environmental health, and social equity as the foundation for high quality of life and long-term prosperity of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Three Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program: A program that is committed to improving the quality of Allegheny County's water resources by helping communities address the issue of untreated sewage and storm water overflowing into the region's waterways.


Professional Organizations

America Institute of Architects (AIA), Pittsburgh Chapter: The objective of AIA Pittsburgh is to improve the quality of the built environment by further raising the standards of architectural education, training and practice; fostering design excellence; and promoting the value of architectural practices to the public.

American Planning Association (APA), Pennsylvania Chapter: APA is a professional trade association comprised of both publicly and privately employed planners, sponsoring a number of professional, educational, and social events during the year. A number of their events have incorporated sustainable planning elements.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Pittsburgh Chapter: ASHRAE is an international organization of 50,000 persons with chapters throughout the world. The Pittsburgh ASHRAE chapter is interested in assisting with local green education focusing on sustainable building techniques.

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): ASID is the leading professional organization for interior designers with the largest residential and commercial membership. Locally, ASID is interested in developing local green design educational projects. Nationally, ASID is involved with sustainable initiatives.

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter: Landscape architects design the built environment of neighborhoods, towns and cities while also protecting and managing the natural environment, from its forests and fields to rivers and coasts. Members of the profession have a special commitment to improving the quality of life through the best design of places for people and other living things.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association representing more than 23,000 merit shop contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and related firms in 80 chapters across the United States. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE): AEE strives to introduce and evaluate emerging energy technologies and concepts. AEE encourages cooperative education with colleges, universities and high school students and cooperative action with local communities.

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Pittsburgh Chapter: CSI's mission is to continuously improve the process of creating and sustaining the built environment. CSI provides workshops and opportunities for continuing sustainable education, and is devoted to disseminating knowledge about green construction,

Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP): The ESWP is chartered to advance the professions of engineering, architecture, and applied sciences through technical activities, public service participation and social organizations. It also supports the needs of industries, communities and government in Western Pennsylvania.

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA): IESNA is the recognized technical authority on illumination. Local IESNA members are interested in participating in green building education.

International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Pennsylvania Chapter: IIDA has over 10,000 international members and is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge. The local chapter has offered a variety of green design courses during the past three years and desires to continue and expand educational green programs.

International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 95, Pittsburgh Chapter: The Local 95 chapter offers professional education courses on a variety of topics, including operating green buildings.

Local Government Academy: LGA promotes excellence in government by providing educational opportunities to assist public officials, employees, and citizens in effectively meeting the needs of their communities. They host a variety of programs focusing on sustainable building and development, such as "Champions of Sustainability" in May 2004.

Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA): MBA's principal objectives include establishing and maintaining high professional standards among contractors in the construction industry. In Western Pennsylvania MBA has promoted and co-sponsored green building events and meetings. Nationally, MBA has focused on green construction.


Colleges, Universities, and Higher Education Opportunities