This past June, Southface Institute’s Mike Barcik and Brittany Williams teamed up with Eco-Action to help prepare Atlanta’s youth for careers in energy efficiency and green building. Together, they hosted a Home Weatherization (WX) Specialist Training that combined classroom learning with hands-on field experiences—showing students how to make homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient.
A Partnership with Purpose
Eco-Action’s Atlanta Watershed Learning Network (AWLN) Summer Youth Program program works to empower young people with real-world skills that benefit their communities. Southface Institute, known for its deep expertise in building science and sustainable construction, provided the perfect setting for this training. By joining forces, the two organizations created an opportunity for students to explore the growing field of residential energy efficiency while making an immediate impact in their communities.
Inside the Training
On day one, students gathered at Southface’s Atlanta campus for a two-day classroom training that covered key weatherization topics:
- Safety and Construction Terminology
- Building Science
- Combustion Safety
- Air Sealing
- Ductwork
- Insulation
- Water Efficiency
- Summary and Scope of Work (SOW)
Each session ended with a quick quiz to make sure students were retaining what they learned. The classroom training wrapped up with a hands-on workshop, where students practiced using caulk, foam, mastic, foam board, and pipe insulation on training props and in Southface’s training cabin—materials commonly used to seal leaks and improve home performance. One of the more entertaining aspects was teaching participants where to safely stand in an attic. Although there was some initial fear, all students successfully participated in an exercise in which they constructed an attic raised platform.
Taking Skills Into the Community
Over the next five weeks the training moved from the classroom and into the real world. Each week students headed into Atlanta neighborhoods, applying their new knowledge in real homes for one day of field training led by one of Southface’s trainers. They learned how to identify areas of energy loss, assess potential safety hazards, and complete simple improvements that reduce utility bills and improve comfort.
Building Skills, Building Futures
This course did more than teach technical skills—it introduced young people to a career path and provided an opportunity to practice simple construction skills in a safe environment. Graduates left with a better understanding of how sustainable housing connects to health, finances, and climate resilience. For many, it was a first step toward green careers in building science or construction.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’re interested in learning practical skills to make homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient, this training is for you! Southface’s Home Weatherization Specialist Training is open to students, volunteers, and community members of all ages and abilities. This training is highly adaptable to allow for classroom and/or field training to meet any group’s needs. You’ll walk away with a certificate of completion, hands-on experience, and a better understanding of how to make an immediate impact. Please reach out to courses@southface.org learn more about the course and how it can benefit your organization.