As we head into fall, we want to highlight the successful completion of our first Energy Training Corps Summer Crew term! The crew completed 20 total home energy and aging-in-place upgrades, provided chore services to 23 elder households, and earned 53 Energy Installer Badges. And we’re proud to say all crew members passed their Building Science Principles exam!
The team began the summer in the classroom learning core skills needed to perform home energy upgrades. Initial training covered basic tool use, building science fundamentals, and common weatherization materials. From there, the crew members practiced their new knowledge with classroom demos, getting hands-on experience with the new tools, concepts, and materials. With some practice, they were ready to get out and perform home energy upgrades!
Each house that requested home energy upgrades had unique needs and starting points, giving each crew member the opportunity to utilize each of the skills they had been honing in the classroom. Some houses were simple air sealing jobs with caulk and spray foam. Others were extensive energy retrofits with full-scale attic insulation, crawlspace encapsulation, and drywall installation.
Additionally, under our developing aging services programming, crew members learned how to identify home safety hazards and how to perform improvements to make the home more accessible for all ages and abilities. Some common improvements included installing shower grab bars and stairway railings, securing loose steps, and improving indoor lighting.
As a capstone to their service, crew members became their own teachers. Each member selected one energy efficiency topic of their choice to train their peers in. They researched the topic, developed a classroom presentation, and constructed their very own hands-on demo to guide peer learning. As staff, we were blown away by the detail and quality of these presentations, and will continue to use the demos in future years.
We want to give a heartfelt thank you to our summer crew members for their valuable service to the community, especially on those days spent in sweltering attics and dusty crawlspace. We were lucky to have volunteers with great attitudes, and we look forward to what next summer will bring!
If you are interested in being a part of this work, check out our current open positions in the Energy Training Corps. We’re currently recruiting for Energy Training Corps Team Leads, which are leadership roles to help supervise summer crew members. Reach out to americorps@ecolibrium3.org with any questions or interest!