Performance Systems Academy
Pushing the Envelope on Building Performance
Performance Systems Academy (PSA) trains students, adults, and business owners to take advantage of the growing market opportunities in energy efficiency and “green” jobs. PSA offers high quality training programs through a variety of venues, to meet the diverse needs of this quickly growing industry. Classes are delivered in Ithaca NY, at client sites around the country, and through distance learning “webinars.”
Course Offerings for 2008
Building a Successful Home Performance Business Process
Two webinars for Home Performance contractors and entrepreneurs: August 27th and Aug 29th at 12noon EST
Course Description: There are important lessons to be learned from the most productive Home Performance contractors in the country. They are all performing in similar ways on a day-to-day level, and yet all very unique in the approaches used. How can you migrate your current business towards higher profits with home performance? The key is to manage the expectations of your customers from their very first contact through the final invoice and beyond. This concept-to-completion business process will be examined within the context of modifying your current business process. These two webinars will focus on the things that make the difference between “getting by” financially, and leveraging the buying behaviors of loyal customers. Each webinar is approximately 2 hours in length.
Location: Our webinars allow you to attend from the comfort of your home or office. Each is packed with information, and presented in real-time by one of our instructors – a presentation delivered over the internet with a simultaneous teleconference. You can ask questions at any time. It’s very interactive.
Instructor: Conrad Metcalfe is VP of Operations for Performance Systems
Building Performance Systems Advantage (BPSA)
Train-the-Trainer: October 6th - 10th or Oct 6th – 8th and Oct 13th – 15th
Course Description: There are many new "green collar" opportunities being created by rising energy costs and the renewed focus on energy efficiency. The foundation of each job is a comprehensive understanding of the science behind the integrated systems that define how buildings work. To support this rapidly growing industry, we are training trainers that can transfer the fundamentals to young people as well as adults. Whether you are interested in training students as they prepare to enter the job market, or contractors that want to start offering energy audits in accordance with nationally recognized standards, this course will prepare you to deliver a holistic "building science" curriculum and support the learning process with a deep understanding of the underlying concepts. At the end of the course, you can be certified as a Building Analyst, and you will be positioned to become an accredited trainer in affiliation with the Building Performance Institute. This course is available in two delivery options: Monday through Friday, or Monday through Wednesday during two consecutive weeks. The two-week format includes the testing required for you to actually become certified with the Building Performance Institute.
Location: Performance Systems Academy – Ithaca NY
Instructor: Ethan MacCormick is VP of Business Services at Performance Systems
Building Science Fundamentals
A two-day training event for instructors: July 24th and 25th
Course Description: If you are an instructor at a technical school -or a high school teacher looking to prepare your students for “green collar” jobs, you'll want to attend this basic introduction to building science. The class will examine “the house as a system,” including energy and moisture transfer, defining the thermal envelope, identifying air leakage problems and solutions, ventilation and indoor air quality issues, and also diagnostic testing. A basic curriculum will be shared that can be modified or built upon for use in your own classes.
Location: Ramada Inn in Ithaca NY (Triphammer)
Instructors: The Performance Systems staff will tag-team as instructors for this event.
“Green Collar” Jobs on the Horizon
A one-day training event for youth counselors: July 22nd
Course Description: If you are a counselor looking to advise students on the future potential for “green collar” jobs, then this training is for you. These jobs are not just the flavor of the week. The price of energy will inevitably continue to rise due to market demands and the need for carbon mitigation. So green collar jobs are here to stay, and present a great opportunity for students interested in making the world a better place. Green collar jobs cannot be out sourced abroad, nor automated into factories. They represent a wide range of positions that will eventually infiltrate the entire job market.
Location: Ramada Inn in Ithaca NY (Triphammer)
Instructors: Conrad Metcalfe is VP of Operations for Performance System
RESNET Summer Camp
Become an Energy Rater in one week (New Home Ratings): August 11th -15th
Course Description: This intensive training will familiarize participants with the process and science of conducting an energy rating in accordance with standards defined by the Residential Energy Services Network. It will prepare you to successfully pass the HERS certification test and perform ratings of newly built houses. The curriculum will examine “the house as a system,” including energy and moisture transfer, the thermal envelope, air leakage problems and solutions, ventilation and indoor air quality, windows, basic energy load calculations and diagnostic testing using a blower door and a "duct blaster." Following the class, students will apply for certification with an accredited Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provider. Class size will be limited to 12 participants.
Location: Performance Systems Academy in Ithaca, NY
Instructor:
Ethan MacCormick is VP of Business Services at Performance Systems.