BERKELEY, CA — UC Berkeley Extension, a continuing education branch of the University of California – Berkeley, on Feb. 4 announced its new designation as a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Education Provider, according to PRNewswire. USGBC sets the standards for the green building industry in the United States and abroad through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System certification program. UC Berkeley Extension is the first continuing education program at the University of California, and one of the few public continuing education programs in the country, to offer USGBC-approved course credits.

With the Obama administration’s budget proposal this week for $2.4 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs — and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ prediction of a 30% growth over the next decade in top green jobs such as mechanical engineer, environmental engineer, environmental educator and landscape architect — the demand is growing among professionals for more green industry education.

The UC Berkeley Extension sustainability courses approved by USGBC include advanced courses in solar, sustainable construction, renewable energy, transportation, clean technology, and sustainability leadership and management. All USGBC-approved courses are rigorously peer-reviewed and approved for credit toward LEED Professional Credentialing Maintenance.

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