GBCI Launches LEED Proven Provider, Demand for LEED-Credential Professionals Growing

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has launched LEED Proven Provider, a new designation that streamlines the LEED project review process for experienced organizations that demonstrate consistent excellence in administering LEED projects, according to the institute.

“LEED Proven Provider makes the LEED review process faster and more seamless,” said Doug Gatlin, vice president of program delivery, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and GBCI. “It allows GBCI to deliver faster reviews of LEED projects while still maintaining the integrity of the LEED certification process.”

According to Gatlin, LEED Proven Provider is designed to minimize the need for additional work during the project review process. It also creates an opportunity for participants and LEED reviewers to work together to enhance the LEED certification experience and facilitates direct engagement with and support for project teams.

“One of the many things we’ve heard from customers is that the LEED review process can be complex,” he said. “LEED Proven Provider rewards organizations that are submitting great LEED applications while speeding up the review process, which is a benefit that participants can pass along to their clients.”

Organizations that demonstrate and maintain high-quality project submissions through LEED Proven Provider receive benefits such as greater access to a LEED reviewer and recognition from USGBC for their sustained track record of high-quality project submissions.

Organizations with significant LEED project administration experience (a minimum of six certified projects in a single rating system family) are eligible to apply.

LEED Proven Provider has been beta tested by several experienced organizations in the marketplace, according to Gatlin.

In other news, USGBC has announced the results of a study of job postings from across the U.S., revealing that demand for the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and LEED Green Associate credentials grew 46% over a 12-month period.

“This figure tells a powerful story about the value that building-industry employers assign to knowledgeable, LEED-credentialed professionals,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “LEED is a transformative force within the building sector, and every day, our network of more than 197,000 LEED APs and Green Associates are helping to advance the industry and push building projects to new heights of performance and resource efficiency.”

The study, conducted by USGBC education partner Pearson, using data provided by Burning Glass, found a total of 9,033 U.S. job postings from March 2013 to February that required a LEED credential. Top fields being advertised included available positions in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering; construction management; architecture; software development; sales management; property management; and interior design, among others.

A secondary 90-day study conducted by Pearson, using data provided by Burning Glass, from January to March of 2,354 U.S. green-building related positions also found LEED as the skill in highest demand by a wide margin. LEED appeared in 59% of all postings, compared to the second-most-required skill, which appeared in 17% of the postings.

According to Fedrizzi, the LEED AP credential affirms advanced knowledge in specialized areas of green building, expertise in a particular LEED rating system and competency in the certification process. It is suited for practitioners actively working on LEED projects to showcase their deep technical knowledge of LEED in both principle and practice.

The LEED Green Associate demonstrates a solid, current understanding of green building principles and practices. It is ideal for both professionals newer to the sustainability field or looking to gain experience and exposure to LEED, as well as those working in diverse roles such as product manufacturers, students, real estate professionals, contractors and more.

In January, USGBC launched Education @USGBC, a platform featuring courses for LEED professionals to maintain their credentials through continuing education. Yearly subscriptions are available for $199, with discounts available for USGBC members, students and organizations.

For more information visit usgbc.org.

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