News

News

Oregon Department of Energy Awarded Federal Grant to Support Energy Auditor Workforce

The Oregon Department of Energy has been awarded nearly $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to support residential energy auditor training in the state. The competitive grant was made possible by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Oregon was one of just 12 states awarded residential audit funds from the Energy Auditor Training Grant Program. The program supports states in implementing current and standardized education and training requirements for residential energy auditors – experts who review homes to analyze energy use and efficiency and identify potential improvements to make homes more comfortable and reduce energy costs. U.S. DOE’s program is focused on closing gaps in job access and improving opportunities for underrepresented groups in the workforce.

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Upcoming Level I BOC class for Spring 2025!

Get registered now for the upcoming BOC class that starts on April 10, 2025! The Energy Trust of Oregon is still providing incentives for building operators who finish the course successfully. See below. To register use this! Register here! Please state which class you are interested in.

A Level II will be offered in 2025. Big changes are happening…Get ahead of the game to get your education and your building ready

Building Operator Certification

Building Operator Certification® (BOC) trains and certifies building operators on the latest technologies and strategies for maintaining equipment, increasing occupant comfort, improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs in their buildings. BOC is designed for building operators, custodians, maintenance staff and others interested in learning ways to save energy through building operation and maintenance.

Two levels of training are offered:
• Level I—Building Systems Maintenance (8 one-day classes) Description here
• Level II—Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance (7 one-day classes) FAQs here.

Energy Trust of Oregon provides a cash incentive of up to $1,400* per building operator to help with the cost of completing Level I or Level II BOC training. Participants may not receive an incentive for both Level I and Level II certification within three years. This incentive is available for building operators regularly working in a commercial, multifamily, institutional or government building served by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista.