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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Basic/Intermediate No prior experience needed
Tue, July 28th, 2026
1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthClimate Adaptation for Homes: Assessment and Planning for Resilience
This course equips participants with practical tools to assess climate risks and plan resilience strategies for homes and communities. It focuses on vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of approaches tailored to local conditions.
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Introductory No prior experience needed
Thu, July 30th, 2026
9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthIntroduction to Healthy Buildings
This 90-minute course provides a practical introduction to healthy building concepts and strategies that support occupant health and wellbeing. Participants will explore core principles, market drivers, certification systems, and performance considerations related to healthier buildings.
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Basic/Intermediate No prior experience needed
Tue, Aug 4th, 2026
9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Energy EfficiencyBuilding Electrification Strategies (Residential & Commercial)
This 90-minute virtual course provides a practical overview of building electrification strategies for both residential and commercial applications. Participants will gain a grounded understanding of decarbonization pathways, technology considerations, economics, and implementation challenges.
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Introductory No prior experience needed
Fri, Aug 7th, 2026
9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Sustainability & HealthIntroduction to Climate Change and Buildings
This 90-minute course provides a practical overview of climate-related risks, opportunities, and response strategies in the built environment. Participants will examine climate concepts, building-level impacts, decarbonization pathways, resilience strategies, and evolving regulatory expectations.
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Basic/Intermediate No prior experience needed
Fri, Aug 7th, 2026
1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Virtual
Pathway: Energy EfficiencyElectrification Retrofit Planning for Existing Buildings
This 90-minute course provides a practical overview of how to plan electrification retrofits in existing buildings. Participants will explore system evaluation, infrastructure readiness, retrofit sequencing, and common implementation challenges through real-world examples.
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Sat, Aug 8th, 2026
10:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Location TBD
The Retrofit Lab: Upgrading to High Performance Heat Pumps (In-Person Demonstration Project)
In this hands-on, four-hour on-site workshop, Symbi Homes will cover the essentials of high-performance heat pump retrofitting for general contractors, architects, and HVAC service providers. The three-part training will walk through planning and mechanical design, air sealing and insulation, and heat pump installation basics.
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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.
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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