The City of Evanston will host the next Building Operator Certification (BOC) training series, which begins March 4.
The training includes seven courses on building systems, energy conservation techniques, HVAC systems and controls, efficient lighting, environmental health and safety regulations, indoor air quality, and facility electrical systems.
The complete training schedule and registration information are available online or by contacting the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (MEEA) BOC Program Manager, Paige Knutsen at (312) 587-8390, ext. 19.
The BOC program is designed to improve operation and maintenance skills for building operators to help them improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
BOC trains building operators on appropriate equipment maintenance and facility operations, addressing energy efficiency, air quality, health and safety, and other building concerns.
Most courses are completed in monthly one-day training sessions to minimize time away from work for building operators.
In addition to the classroom training, participants complete five projects at their own facilities, requiring them to apply the skills taught in the classroom and providing opportunities to realize immediate energy savings and improvements in facility operations.
Individuals who successfully complete all seven courses and required projects are eligible for certification from the MEEA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest.
More than a decade ago the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) developed BOC as a licensed training program. Today the program is recognized in 20 states across the country and more than 90 percent of BOC participants and their supervisors say their training has improved comfort, saved energy, or saved money in their facilities.