The federal program to promote the weatherization component of the green economy is set to yield industry growth and new jobs in 2010 and beyond. Most of the action will be generated through the Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which received significant new funding from the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA or stimulus bill) as well as several new provisions that considerably expanded the reach of the program.

Why is weatherization one of the best vehicles on the road to a greener economy? Substantial support from the White House is one key reason weatherization has one of the better chances of succeeding in the transition to a greener economy.

Because of legal hurdles, the revamped WAP got off to a slow start in 2009. But states that receive funding through WAP are getting a clearer picture of requirements they must meet and how to manage the larger influx of funds. Whether or not they have intersected with WAP in the past, companies engaged in weatherization should catch up on how the program is now operating and the potential expansion of both their markets and their work forces.

What makes WAP more than your average weatherstripping? According to DOE, it's the "whole-house" approach.

Weatherization Workers

Thousands of people currently work in the low-income weatherization sector targeted by WAP, and many times that number work in companies that help homeowners increase their energy efficiency through low-cost measures. Under the revamped WAP, demand is expected to increase for a variety of positions, including:

• Auditors, who assess eligible dwellings for potential weatherization services; visually inspect building shell and mechanical systems; conduct diagnostic, health, and safety tests; use a computerized energy audit or priority list to select cost-effective measures; and prepare work orders to ensure the most appropriate measures are installed properly.
• Installers, who install weatherization measures (can be contractors or crew members).
• Crew chiefs, who supervise crews of installers and direct their efforts.
• Quality control inspectors, who verify the proper selection, installation, and effectiveness of measures; review documentation; visually inspect; and perform diagnostic, health, and safety testing.
• Trainers, who provide training to weatherization staff.
• Technical monitors, who monitor local agencies to ensure work quality and often identify training needs and provide or recommend training.
• Intake eligibility staff, who determine the eligibility of prospective clients.
• State and local program managers, who manage day-to-day operations.

One of the main obstacles with WAP is an ARRA requirement that individuals who are paid with WAP funds must be reimbursed at the prevailing minimum wage. This provision had not previously been required under WAP. Contractors can find out the prevailing wage for weatherization workers in different states under WAP.

WAP emphasizes workforce training. Who is responsible for providing training and technical assistance? It may be you.

What’s the outlook for WAP and the numerous jobs it could potentially provide? Because of the stimulus bill, the forecast is sunny.

Any company seeking to involve itself in WAP should review DOE's National Weatherization Training & Technical Assistance Plan, particularly the core competencies.

Now is the time for companies to find out how their states and local organizations are implementing WAP funding and whether there are opportunities to sign up.