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IMI Green Contractor Program Recognized by US Green Building Council

July 28, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, MD —The first sustainable construction training program for masonry contractors has earned recognition as an approved education course of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), receiving GBCI* continuing education hours. As developer of the internationally recognized green building certification system LEED, USGBC is the leading source for green building knowledge.

The Sustainable Masonry Certification Program (SMCP), offered by the International Masonry Institute, is one of the few upper level USGBC courses for contractors [USGBC Level 300 Application/Implementation]. It is the only certification program for the masonry industry.

The full day course focuses on the impact of masonry as a sustainable building system, and educates masonry contractors on their role in LEED certification. It addresses subcontractor responsibilities from estimating to documentation, plus green jobsite strategies. It covers all masonry trades: brick, tile, stone, terrazzo, cement, plaster and restoration. Contractors are tested to verify their ability to fulfill LEED responsibilities.

“SMCP certification makes our contractors a valuable part of LEED project teams,” says IMI President Joan Calambokidis.

SMCP advances IMI’s status as an education provider for USGBC, which has previously recognized the IMI course for architects and designers, “LEED and Masonry Construction.” 

USGBC recognition and IMI programs give union contractors and members a competitive advantage in green building, which has become the reality of today’s construction market. Since the launch of SMCP in June 2009, IMI has educated hundreds of contractors, project managers, and estimators across the U.S. and Canada.

For information, contractor listings and reviews, go to www.imiweb.org/greenmasonry.

IMI is a joint labor-management cooperative program of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and the contractors who employ its members, providing craft training and technical assistance to the design and building communities. IMI is a U.S. Green Building Council member and education provider.

*The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is an independent, third-party organization administering project certifications and professional credentials for USGBC’s LEED rating system.