Train Green
No- cost training and certification opportunities for CBEs and eligible businesses.
Get your business and staff ready for new opportunities in the green energy sector
The Train Green Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Capacity Building and Pipeline Program (Train Green SEICBP) is a training, credentialing, and certification program for District-Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) and/or CBE-eligible firms. CBEs and CBE-eligible firms, and their staffs. DC residents can acquire new or enhanced skills and knowledge around energy efficiency and renewable energy design, construction, inspection, and maintenance at no cost.
Get Your Access Code for FY 2026
Participants are required to register for program access on a yearly basis (each Fiscal Year). Upon each yearly application review, participants receive a unique Train Green Registrant Code that you be used to register for courses.
Eligibility
Priority 1
District residents at District CBE or CBE-eligible firms.
Priority 2
District residents working outside of the District or non-residents working for District CBE or CBE-eligible firms.
Priority 3
Non-district residents (who do not meet the criteria listed under Priority 1 or 2).
Industries (not limited to)
The following are examples of industries Train Green serves (and is not intended to be a definitive list):
- Architects, designers, and safety engineers
- Building owners, property managers, building operators
- Contractors in or looking to offer energy efficiency or renewable energy solutions
- Electricians, plumbers, and lighting, or HVAC technicians
- Engineers or energy service providers
- Renewable energy/solar providers
Register for Upcoming Training Sessions
Select a Skill Level and Pathway that match your interest to see our current course offerings. To register, read more details about any given offering.
Introductory:
- For those without prior experience (or who are new to the field), introductory courses provide a solid starting point. By developing a general understanding of energy efficiency, building science, and renewable energy, students are prepared for participation in basic, intermediate, and advanced courses.
Basic / Intermediate:
- Basic/Intermediate courses may have additional prerequisites and require previous work or course experience. They are designed to provide registrants with a level of knowledge that can prepare them for entry-level work. Basic courses provide a credential, certification, or certificate of completion for attendees who satisfy course requirements. Please see the "requirements" section when you "read more" on these sessions for any specific prerequisites.
Advanced:
- Advanced courses generally have prerequisites found in the prior Basic category and can serve as an endpoint for a pathway. They are designed to bring students with an existing knowledge base and/or experience to a higher level of competency. Advanced courses provide a credential, certification, or certificate of completion for attendees who satisfy course requirements. Please see the "requirements" section when you "read more" on these sessions for any specific prerequisites.
Energy Efficiency:
- Courses focus on growing one's knowledge of auditing, benchmarking, modeling, and optimizing energy use within commercial and residential buildings.
Sustainability & Health:
- Courses examine Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems and other building standards that focus on how the built environment impacts human health and wellbeing.
Building Operations:
- Topics explore best practices for whole-building automation, maintenance, operations, and green property management.
Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC):
- Learning is specifically focused on HVAC system automation, operation, and maintenance.
Renewables & Solar:
- Courses cover solar safety, installation and maintenance of battery- and grid-based solar systems.
Design & New Construction:
- Discover sustainable construction techniques, including green building materials, residential and commercial net zero design, local green building codes, and environmentally friendly construction processes.
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Introductory No prior experience needed
Fri, July 10th, 2026
12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthIntroduction to High Performance Buildings
This 90-minute course provides a practical introduction to high-performance buildings and the strategies used to improve building outcomes. Participants will explore key approaches related to energy, systems performance, operations, and continuous improvement.
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Advanced Prerequisites are required
Mon, July 13th, 2026 -
Wed, July 22nd, 20269:00am - 1:00pm EDT
DCSEU Offices
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthLEED AP BD+C V5 Exam Preparation Workshop (In-Person)
This 16-hour workshop prepares participants for the LEED AP Building Design + Construction exam by covering the LEED v5 rating system, certification process, key credit categories, and exam preparation strategies. Participants will build a stronger understanding of technical content, documentation expectations, and the structure of the exam.
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Advanced Prerequisites are required
Tue, July 14th, 2026 -
Fri, July 24th, 20269:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Hybrid, Virtual & DCSEU Offices
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthLEED for Homes Certification Workshop (Hybrid)
This 14-hour workshop provides a practical overview of the latest LEED for Homes rating system, including structure, requirements, documentation, verification, and certification strategies. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of key credit categories, project roles, and practical approaches to successful certification.
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Basic/Intermediate No prior experience needed
Wed, July 15th, 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC)The Retrofit Lab: Preparing Homes for Heat Pump Upgrades – Core Components
In this 120-minute live instruction, builders Matt Kulp and Nicole Tysvaer of Symbi Homes will walk through the key aspects of retrofitting single-family homes for electrification -- covering energy audits, panel upgrades, ductwork, air sealing, and equipment commissioning. Drawing on multiple case studies for installing all-electric heat pump HVAC and hot water systems, this training is intended for residential contractors and architects and will serve as a prerequisite to the in-person Retrofit Lab heat pump installation series.
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Basic/Intermediate No prior experience needed
Thu, July 16th, 2026
11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC)Heat Pump Technologies – Application & Design
This course provides a detailed survey of heat pump technologies for residential, commercial, and multifamily buildings, focusing on system selection, sizing, and real-world performance. Learners will learn to evaluate space conditioning and water heating needs while analyzing the practical integration of various systems like VRF and air-source heat pumps to maximize efficiency.
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Wed, July 22nd, 2026
8:30am - 12:30pm EDT
DCSEU Offices | 1 M Street SE Washington, DC 20003
Residential Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Installation Training
This course is a fast‑paced training that equips students to confidently choose safe, efficient water‑heating solutions—spotlighting heat pump water heaters and their real‑world applications. Participants explore performance, limitations, and adoption challenges while learning practical strategies to overcome barriers and advance high‑efficiency installations.
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Get Training Session Updates
Sign up here for upcoming training alerts or to learn more about RFP/RFQ opportunities.
Impact Stories & Resources
See our Impact Stories and take advantage of resources that have helped over 550 course registrants.
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Customer Story
Building the Capacity to Compete: How Train Green is Helping this Organization Thrive
Learn how Hayat Brown, LLC was able to take advantage of Train Green.
Read more -
Customer Story
Preparing for the Future of the Green Workforce with Energy Shrink
Hear from Smita and learn how she is preparing Energy Shrink for green opportunities.
Read more -
Don’t Know How to Train Green?
Check out our step-by-step guide to learn how you can benefit from free courses and certification exams.
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Hear from a participant
As a long-time District resident, I wanted to become involved with DC's green economy. The DCSEU provided me with diverse, local training opportunities and a place to network with experts like Smita.
- Christie PoimboeufProject Manager, Energy Shrink and 2023 Train Green Participant