The University of Oregon Energy Studies in Buildings Lab (ESBL) and the Lane Community College Energy Management w/Controls 2-year degree program have joined forces and talent to develop a comprehensive Department of Energy-funded Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship (BECA) program. BECA is a traditional Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) registered apprenticeship program and the first of its kind for professional services. This presentation will discuss avenues for its application to serve more than the energy efficiency and controls industry, as it has also been a proven route for careers into the commissioning profession in Oregon already. By incorporating QA/QC processes into its educational program, it is also applicable to the commissioning profession with content provided through its partnership with the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA). This program can become a model for the rest of the country for training new hires, developing internal personnel, and people interested in a career in building controls, energy auditing, commissioning, and more, as this apprenticeship program can be a tool for a wide range of groups, from owner facility teams to professional service providers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship training program goals and educational content.
2. Identify the Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship on-the-job training requirements, responsibilities, pay scale, and how to become an on-the-job training partner.
3. Discuss the Energy Trust of Oregon Strategic Energy Manager (SEM) program and infrastructure package grant incentive opportunities that could pay tuition and wage costs.
4. Identify Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship-related training, program application, and multiple career opportunities.