| Who knew 50 years ago that we'd be using solar | | | | demand for green building construction grows, LEED |
| panels to heat our houses and wildflowers to insulate | | | | certified professionals put themselves in a better |
| our roofs? Believe it or not, the green movement is | | | | position to land contracts than those who are not. |
| here, and it's getting its roots deep into the building | | | | Best of all, you don't have to go back to school or |
| industry. If you're in construction on any level, | | | | earn another degree to put yourself in the game. |
| whether it's drawing up blueprints or picking out | | | | LEED offers not one, but two professional programs |
| wallpaper, that means you're going to need | | | | to help you stand out from the pack: |
| knowledge of sustainable practices to help your | | | | LEED Green AssociateLEED Green Associates can |
| business grow and succeed in the future. And the | | | | demonstrate a basic understanding of green design, |
| best way to do that is through LEED certification. | | | | construction, and operation. They've either worked |
| LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and | | | | on a LEED-registered project, are employed in a |
| Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized | | | | sustainable industry, or participated in a green |
| certification for green buildings. LEED buildings have | | | | education program. (The U.S. Green Building Council |
| been rated and approved in a variety of areas, | | | | offers a number of online courses that fill this |
| including sustainable site development, water savings, | | | | requirement.) |
| energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor | | | | LEED AP (Accredited Professional)LEED Accredited |
| environment quality. | | | | Professionals have in-depth technical knowledge of |
| While having your building or construction project be | | | | green principles. They can specialize in a specific LEED |
| LEED certified is a great way to get on the green | | | | rating system, such as operations and maintenance, |
| bandwagon, LEED also offers certification to | | | | homes, building design and construction, and |
| architects, real estate professionals, construction | | | | neighborhood development. To become a LEED AP, |
| managers, lenders, and anyone else in the building | | | | the candidate must have worked on a |
| business who wants to take that extra step and be | | | | LEED-registered project within the last 3 years. |
| recognized for their sustainability expertise. As the | | | | |