Weatherization Training Center

I am interested in obtaining information on a career in weatherization. Where do I go?

Contact your local CareerLink office to get information on a career in weatherization. You can search for CareerLink office locations on the Commonwealth Workforce Development system Web page.

Why do I have to submit an application in order to become a certified weatherization worker in Pennsylvania?

Under new requirements developed jointly by the PA Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), all workers participating in the federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) must be certified.

In order to become a certified weatherization worker, individuals must be trained by a Pennsylvania Certified Weatherization Instructor and submit an application with relevant documentation. You can find information on the application process on DCED’s Weatherization Program Web page.

What type of documentation is needed for my application?

Each application requires a Worker Certification Application sheet as well as Training Forms E (for Installers), F (for crew chiefs), or G (for auditors).

Important: In order to verify your completed courses or earned certifications/ qualifications, we highly encourage you to submit copies of any documentation. For example, submit copies of any certificates from WTC courses, BPI BA, post secondary education, and lead safety training.

Also, in order to verify your years of experience on the Training Forms’ “Field Work Experience/Verification” section, a representative of your agency must provide their signature in the blank spaces.

You can find the application documents and further information on DCED’s Weatherization Program webpage.

What happens after my application is submitted to the Weatherization Training Center at Penn College?

Once you submit an application to the Weatherization Training Center, our staff prints a transcript report, if you have attended WTC courses. We attach the transcript report to your application package.

Next, our staff reviews your application to make sure all required documentation is included in your package. After our initial review, we send your application immediately to the Application Review Committee (ARC) for final review and determination of certification. The ARC is organized and chaired by PA L&I and consists of representatives from L&I, DCED, Penn College, and other weatherization-related organizations.

The ARC then either approves or does not approve the application. Upon approval, you will receive a letter from the ARC with your PA Weatherization Worker Certification. If your application was not approved by the ARC, you will still receive a letter from L&I notifying you with an explanation of why your application was not approved and what you need to do to obtain certification.

The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College is not responsible for approving/disapproving worker applications, and all questions regarding your application status should be directed to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, c/o Steve Wolf, Application Review Committee Chair, at (717) 705-8820 or stewolf@state.pa.us or David Pistner, Director of Weatherization Training, at (717) 772-8623 or dpistner@state.pa.us.

How and when will I find out if my application has been approved?

Once your application has been reviewed by the Application Review Committee, you will receive a letter from the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) that states one of the following:

• Your application was approved;
• Your application was approved with provisions that need to be successfully addressed (such as completing missing courses);
• Your application was not approved with an explanation of reasons and next steps.

The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College is not responsible for approving/disapproving worker applications and has no control over when you will receive notification of your application status. All questions regarding your application status should be directed to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, c/o Steve Wolf, Application Review Committee Chair, at (717) 705-8820 or stewolf@state.pa.us or David Pistner, Director of Weatherization Training, at (717) 772-8623 or dpistner@state.pa.us.

What is the WTC schedule and registration process for Test Out or Accelerated Courses?

The Weatherization Training Center (WTC) at Penn College plans to hold Test Outs and Accelerated Courses regularly and as-needed.  For the January – June 2010 period, the WTC expects to schedule Test Outs and Accelerated Courses in between the weeks that our current courses are scheduled. We will post the Test Out and Accelerated Course schedules as they are confirmed.

Regarding registration, the WTC will contact WAP Agencies to schedule and confirm individuals that need Test Out or Accelerated Courses. The PA Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) has directed the WTC at Penn College to contact applicants for Test Out and Accelerated Courses based on the order of when we received the application.

What happens after I take a Test Out or Accelerated Course?

The Weatherization Training Center provides your Test Out or Accelerated Course’s written and lab examination results to the Application Review Committee (ARC) for their records.

The ARC then either approves (if there are no outstanding actions) or does not approve your application. Upon approval, you will receive a letter from the ARC with your PA Weatherization Worker Certification. If your application was not approved by the ARC, you will still receive a letter from L&I with an explanation of why your application was not approved and what you need to do to obtain certification.

The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College is not responsible for approving/disapproving worker applications, and all questions regarding your application status should be directed to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, c/o Steve Wolf, Application Review Committee Chair, at (717) 705-8820 or stewolf@state.pa.us or David Pistner, Director of Weatherization Training, at (717) 772-8623 or dpistner@state.pa.us.

What happens if I leave my WAP agency before completing all the courses?

Pennsylvania weatherization certification belongs to each individual, so changing jobs will not affect your state certification in any way.