[Greenbuilding] career in Green building

[Chris Green]

v5c wrote:
> I am trying to find new career right now, and very interesting to get
> involve "Green"building (especially residential house) field. But, I don't
> know how/where to start in order to get job and learn alone the way. 
>   
A good overall introductory book to read would include Clarke Snell and 
Tim Callahan's book about Greenbuilding.

Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods,
ISBN: 1579905323

Among the other books to read will be ones  concentrating specifically 
on straw bale construction, cob building, natural paints and plasters, 
solar construction, and so-on.
> Could any of you give me some suggestion about what step should I try first
> or what short training program should I do first?
>   
Fleming College's Sustainable Building and Design Course will give you a 
good introductory hands-on grounding in Greenbuilding.
http://www.flemingc.on.ca/Haliburton/Programs.cfm
The next 20-week course starts in April 2008.

You can also sign up for the Willing to Work in Appropriate Technology 
list (WWAT list). See:
http://www.greenbuilder.com/wwat/
Many colleges also off courses with a title something like "Women In The 
Trades," which are intended to give students an introductory knowledge 
and a bit of hands on experience in the various trades- plumbing, 
electrical, etc., so it would pay to look around in your area for one of 
these.
> Very appreciate if you can kindly give me some advice.
>   
Most construction and building projects require you wear appropriate 
safety gear (my supervisor sent some landscaping subcontractors home 
because they didn't have appropriate safety gear this spring), so a pair 
of well made and comfortable steel toed boots, a decent, approved, hard 
hat, and a pair of work gloves should be your first purchases.
The rest can be obtained when needed, or supplied by the contractor. 
(It's part of their cost of doing business...)
 
A flat-topped picnic cooler large enough to hold a couple of 1 quart or 
1 litre plastic milk jugs lying on their side will be the best size: you 
can fill the jugs with water or juice and freeze them to keep your stuff 
cool during the day, and have something cool to drink during the day as 
they thaw. Price, under $25.
This is also where I keep extra pencils, extra gloves, a pen, band-aids, 
and sometimes a permanent marker and a few other odd little things I 
often find a use for on the job, like extra utility knife blades, 
band-aids, cell phone, a lighter, and a 100-foot tape. And a calculator, 
but I'm a bit weird...
The bonus is that having the flat topped cooler means you'll always have 
your own seat for breaks. (some people bring folding lawn chairs as well.)

Cheers,

Chris Green.