Workforce Development

The US DOE predicts $3 Trillion in geothermal sales and installations over the next 20 years. New geothermal installers will be required to meet that need.

Learning to install GSHP (Ground Source Heat Pump) systems will give entry level, or already skilled workers:

• A strong foothold in a burgeoning new sector of the Energy Efficiency/Energy Conservation industry,
• A chance to begin at perhaps an entry level position and learn career-path oriented skills that can help them achieve higher and higher placements, and
• A chance to compete for work in a new market driven by rising energy costs and resource depletion.

 
 
Geothermal installation in most states requires IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) accreditation, though some don’t have geothermal installation or training standards. IGSHPA is the only nationally recognized independent accreditation and the industry’s “gold standard”. Achieving accreditation requires: significant preliminary study (manuals provided before classes start); 3 days in the classroom; and hands-on experience operating geothermal installation equipment; covering all facets of ground installation, and differences between geothermal heat pumps and standard HVAC equipment and installation. Follow-up training is required, often sponsored by geothermal equipment suppliers and major contractors such as GI’s Intensive 5-Day OJT Training; and its Geo-Allies 6-month follow-up program (operating in 5 states); and NC3 Career Path training.

The New Century Career Centers (NC3), a registered proprietary training school in Michigan that handles all classroom and workshop needs for GI. Though most of its classes are in Michigan, it is now involved in starting up workshop programs in other states. Its head instructor for geothermal training is Lawrence Muhammad of Geo Netzero. He is a long time IGSPHA Certified instructor, who – with IGSHPA – is also working to teach new trainers in each area of the county where GI develops new projects. For more information on the Job Training Program please contact AEG.