Efficiency First

The energy efficiency industry is expanding at a rapid rate and the growth of the industry has increased the number of contractors in the workforce taking BPI certification exams. The Building Performance Institute recently surveyed contractors that took the BPI certification exam and found the motivating factors behind the increase in workers taking the certification exams. These motivating factors include; adhering to employer requirements, government incentives and creating better personal opportunities. The industry has become more competitive in recent years, contractors need to take all steps possible to set themselves apart from others in the industry and taking these exams is one way to do that.

The survey shows that the average age of contractors that have taken the BPI certification exam is 47. The average age of contractors demonstrates how the industry has changed over the years.  It takes more to be successful in the industry than it used to. Older contractors are forced to take these certification exams that did not use to be necessary in order for them to compete with the younger contractors already in this industry. Besides trying to make themselves more valuable in the industry, it is becoming required that they have these certifications to complete energy efficient retrofits, so even if some do not want to get certified their employers are requiring it.

The shift towards energy efficient housing retrofits has impacted contractors and created a new market for jobs, but these new jobs call for higher levels of certifications by contractors to deliver the best service possible to residents retrofitting their houses. The Building Performance Institutes survey demonstrates the motivations, needs and attitudes of the contractors that make up this industry that are seeking these certifications. It enables people to see how things are changing and quickly heading in a direction of energy efficiency and how beneficial these certifications are to a contractors business and career.