Massachusetts is accelerating its transition to high-performance, low-carbon buildings and the industry needs skilled professionals who can turn climate goals into real-world results.

The BE+ Leadership Accelerator helps bridge that gap by investing in the professionals already working across the built environment.

Participants will strengthen their ability to:

Design & Deliver
Apply high-performance building, energy, and decarbonization strategies to real projects.

Lead & Collaborate
Build the communication, teamwork, and leadership skills needed to lead projects, teams, and clients.

Advance Your Career
Develop technical expertise, pursue industry-recognized credentials, and position yourself for expanded responsibilities and leadership opportunities.

Make an Impact
Contribute to healthier, more energy-efficient, resilient, and low-carbon buildings across Massachusetts.

We are seeking AEC professionals with meaningful, hands-on experience in the built environment who are ready to grow their technical expertise, expand their impact, and take the next step in their careers.

We welcome professionals at a range of career stages, including those who have already developed a strong foundation through hands-on project work to experienced practitioners looking to deepen their technical expertise, broaden their perspective, or strengthen their leadership skills. Some roles include: 
• Architects & Designers
• Mechanical, Electrical, Civil & Energy Engineers
• Construction Managers & Superintendents
• Energy & Sustainability Consultants
• Municipal Staff & Building Professionals
• Other AEC Professionals interested in high-performance buildings an clean energy

You may be a strong fit if you:
• Have meaningful experience working on real-world building or infrastructure projects
• Have contributed to multiple aspects or phases of projects and can draw on real challenges and questions from your work
• Are interested in strengthening your ability to lead projects, teams, clients, or organizational change
• Want to connect technical learning more directly in your day-to-day work
• Are interested in advancing within your firm or the broader AEC industry
• Want to deepen your technical knowledge of high-performance buildings
• Are working on or interested in housing, high-performance, low-carbon, net-zero, or community-scale projects
• Are passionate about moving the industry forward

We are looking for people with the drive to make a difference: on projects, within their companies, and with their clients. If you don’t meet the above criteria, but are still interested in participating in the program, please reach out to education@builtenvironmentplus.org and let’s discuss your goals and program fit! 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE & PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
Build the knowledge you need to contribute to the next generation of high-performance buildings.

Topics may include:
• Building Science & Enclosures
• Massachusetts Stretch & Specialized Energy Codes
• Passive Building Principles
• Embodied Carbon & Material Selection
• Sustainable Design & Construction

LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Technical knowledge is only part of the equation. Develop the skills needed to lead projects and teams through:
• Communication, Negotiation & Conflict Management
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
• Project Management
• Navigating Change & Stakeholder Management

INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS
Your individual learning plan may include opportunities to pursue industry credentials aligned with your career goals.

Potential pathways may include:
• Passive House Associate
• Passive House Trades
• Passive House Builder or Consultant
• LEED Green Associate or LEED AP
• Green Professional (GPRO) Fundamentals, Construction or Operations & Maintenance
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
• WELL AP 
• BEMP
• CDP

Credential pathways will be determined based on participant goals, eligibility, and individual learning plans. Additional costs may apply for advanced credentials.

LEARN
Build technical knowledge through live instruction, flexible online learning, and industry-recognized training.

APPLY
Put your learning into practice through a real-world case study project and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

LEAD
Strengthen your leadership, communication, and project management skills while building a network of peers and industry professionals.

ADVANCE
Receive career navigation and support as you work toward expanded responsibilities, leadership opportunities, and industry credentials.

Not sure if you’re ready to take the next step? Book time with our Education Director to learn more about the program and explore the options that suit your career goals.

Approximately 6 months beginning February 2027

Duration
Approximately 6 months

Format
Hybrid: live sessions + flexible online learning

Time Commitment
Approximately 8-12 hours per month, over 6 months

Cohort Model
Small, peer-based learning groups with opportunities for 1:1 coaching and live feedback on individual presentations.

Learning Approach
Technical training + leadership development + applied experience

Cost
Free or highly subsidized based on individual’s learning plan

BE+ is committed to making advanced training and career development more accessible.

Upon successful application and acceptance, participants may receive:

Subsidized or Fully Funded Training
Reduce financial barriers to professional development and technical training.

Milestone-Based Stipends
Financial support tied to successful enrollment and completion of the program, where funding allows.

Credential & Exam Support
Support for select industry credential and exam fees.

Flexible Learning Options
A hybrid format designed to accommodate working professionals, with on-demand learning combined with live sessions and asynchronous feedback.

Career Navigation
Individualized support available to help participants connect their training to career goals and opportunities.

Peer & Industry Network
Build relationships with a cohort of professionals and leaders working to transform the built environment. BE+ events and roundtable discussions are included and encouraged.

About the Program

What is the BE+ Leadership Accelerator?

The BE+ Leadership Accelerator is a six-month professional development program designed to help AEC professionals deepen their technical expertise, strengthen their leadership skills, and increase their impact on high-performance, low-carbon, and clean-energy buildings across Massachusetts.

The program combines technical training, leadership development, applied learning, industry credential pathways, career navigation, and peer learning.

When does the program begin?

The first cohort is scheduled to begin in February 2027 and will run for approximately six months.

Who is the program designed for?

The program is designed for AEC professionals with meaningful, real-world project experience who are ready to grow their technical expertise, leadership capacity, and impact.

We welcome professionals at different stages of their careers. There is no specific number of years of experience required. Instead, we are looking for applicants who can draw on real project experience and apply what they learn to current or recent work-based challenges.

Ideal participants may include architects, engineers, contractors and construction professionals, sustainability and energy professionals, project managers, consultants, municipal staff, and other professionals working across the AEC industry.

Do I need to currently have a leadership title or manage a team?

No. The program is intended for professionals who are ready to develop their leadership capacity, whether or not they currently have a formal leadership title.

Leadership skills, including communication, collaboration, influencing and gaining buy-in, project management, client engagement, and change management, can be valuable well before someone becomes a formal manager or director.

Do I need to work specifically in sustainability or high-performance buildings?

No. The program is intended for AEC professionals with real-world project experience who want to deepen their knowledge of areas such as building science, high-performance building practices, energy codes, Passive House principles, embodied carbon, material health and circularity, and sustainable design and construction.

Your current level of expertise will help inform your learning path and the way the program is tailored to the cohort.

Eligibility

Do I have to live in Massachusetts?

Yes. Because the Leadership Accelerator is funded through a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center workforce development grant, participants must reside in Massachusetts.

Your employer or organization does not have to be based in Massachusetts.

Is there an age or specific career-stage requirement?

No specific career stage or number of years in the industry is required. We are looking for applicants with meaningful project experience, a genuine interest in professional growth, and the ability and motivation to apply the program to their work.

What makes someone a strong applicant?

Strong applicants will be able to demonstrate:

• Meaningful hands-on AEC project experienc
• A commitment to high-performance, sustainable, or clean-energy buildings
• A desire to deepen technical and/or leadership skills
• A clear interest in applying what they learn to real-world work
• Motivation to grow and contribute to their organization, projects, and/or community
• The capacity to participate in approximately 12 hours of program activities each month
• Applicants will be asked about their professional experience, areas of expertise, learning goals, career vision, and the impact they hope to make.

Application & Selection

What does the application process involve?

The application process includes an initial application followed by a more narrative-based stage for applicants who advance.

The application will ask about your professional experience, current role, areas of expertise, learning interests, career goals, vision for impact, and ability to participate in the program.

Applicants may also be invited to participate in an interview to provide additional context about their experience and goals.

What should I expect to write about in the application?

We encourage you to think about:

• The projects and challenges you’ve encountered in your work
• Your current technical strengths and areas where you want to grow
• Your leadership experience and aspirations
• A real-world challenge or question you would like to explore
• Where you want your career to go next
• How additional technical and leadership skills could increase your impact
• A key component of the program is a work-based capstone, so applicants should be prepared to identify a real-world challenge, question, or scenario that they can explore throughout the program.

When will I find out if I’ve been accepted?

Applications close December 21, 2026. Applicants may move through the application process before the deadline rather than waiting until applications close.

BE+ anticipates having a clearer sense of Cohort 1 selections by the end of December or early January. Because the cohort is limited in size, applications may close early if the number of strong applicants reaches capacity.

What happens if I’m not selected for Cohort 1?

Depending on the application and program fit, applicants may be considered for the second cohort or encouraged to explore other BE+ opportunities that align with their goals.

Program Format & Time Commitment

How much time should I expect to commit?

Participants should plan for approximately 12 hours per month of learning and program participation during the six-month program.

This includes a combination of live sessions, on-demand learning, assignments, and other program activities. Participants pursuing an advanced credential should expect additional time beyond the 12-hour monthly commitment.

Is the program fully online?

Yes. The program is delivered online, with a combination of live and on-demand learning. No in-person participation is required, however there will be opportunities to attend in-person BE+ networking and educational events, as well as Leadership Accelerator Alumni events which are not required to complete the program.

On-demand learning may include prerecorded content, self-guided assignments, and reading.

Are live sessions required?

The program includes live sessions, particularly as part of the leadership component. These sessions are designed for discussion, skill-building, peer learning, and applying concepts—not simply listening to lectures.

We recognize that AEC professionals, particularly those working in construction or field-based roles, may have scheduling constraints. If attending a live session presents a significant challenge, please identify that in your application. BE+ will explore appropriate accommodations, which may include access to recorded content or an alternative one-on-one session where feasible.

When will live sessions take place?

BE+ is working to finalize the live workshop schedule. The goal is to share dates well in advance so participants can plan accordingly.

Live sessions are expected to begin no earlier than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with some sessions potentially extending into after-work hours.

Will I have to complete everything at the same level or pace as everyone else?

The program is intentionally designed to be flexible and responsive to the experience and interests of the cohort.

BE+ plans to assess participants’ experience and learning levels during the intake process and use that information to help shape the curriculum and learning experience.

What You’ll Learn

What topics will the program cover?

Technical training will include topics such as:

• Building science
• High-performance building practices
• Energy codes
• Passive House principles
• Decarbonization and clean energy
• Embodied carbon
• Material health and circularity
• Sustainable design and construction
• High-performance design and construction
• The curriculum is intentionally flexible and may be refined based on the experience, interests, and needs of the selected cohort.

What leadership skills will I develop?

Leadership development will include both project/management skills and interpersonal leadership skills.

Topics may include:

• Project management
• Communication
• Team management
• Client engagement
• Change management
• Goal and task setting
• Scheduling and project coordination
• Project accounting and costs
• Proposals and contracts
• Stakeholder engagement
• Influencing and gaining buy-in
• Feedback and self-assessment
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration
• The leadership curriculum is designed to complement the technical training and help participants apply these skills directly to their work.

Do I need to be a project manager to benefit from the leadership component?

No. Project management is being used as a framework for developing broadly transferable leadership and management skills.

The skills covered can apply to project managers, sustainability leaders, program managers, discipline leads, and other professionals responsible for coordinating projects, people, or initiatives.

Will the program be too basic or too advanced for my experience level?

The cohort is expected to include professionals with different levels of experience. The curriculum and learning activities will be designed with that diversity in mind.

Participants can learn from one another across experience levels, and the program may use different groupings or activities based on participants’ backgrounds and learning needs.

Applied Learning & Capstone

What is the capstone project?

Participants will identify a real-world challenge, question, or work-based scenario at the beginning of the program and use it as the foundation for an applied capstone project.

Throughout the six months, participants will have opportunities to apply technical and leadership concepts to that challenge. The program will culminate in a final presentation during the last month.

Do I need to have a specific project in mind before applying?

You do not need a fully developed project. However, you should be able to identify a real-world challenge, question, or area of opportunity related to your work that you would like to explore.

This might be a challenge related to delivering a high-performance project, implementing sustainability strategies, leading a team, communicating with clients, or building organizational capacity.

Credentials & Financial Support

Is the program free?

Yes. Eligible participants will receive fully subsidized program training.

Are industry credentials included?

The program will offer opportunities for participants to pursue selected industry credentials based on individual goals and the needs of the cohort.

Potential pathways discussed during the information session include Passive House, LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Green Professional certifications, and other industry-recognized credentials.

Will BE+ pay for my credential?

BE+ plans to provide funding for eligible credential pathways. Depending on the number of participants pursuing credentials and the cost of individual credentials, subsidies may be subject to a funding cap.

The current plan is to provide substantial or full subsidies where possible.

Can I pursue more than one credential?

The current program design anticipates support for one advanced credential per participant, including a milestone-based stipend upon pursuit and completion.

Credential pathways will be tailored to participant goals and available program resources.

Will there be a stipend?

Milestone-based stipends are planned for participants pursuing and completing an eligible advanced credential. Additional participant supports may also be available to help reduce barriers to participation.

Participant Support

What other support is available to participants?

BE+ is committed to reducing barriers to participation. Additional supports may be available based on participant needs and program resources.

Applicants will have an opportunity to identify support needs in the application, which BE+ will review and accommodate where possible.

Will I receive career support?

Yes. The program includes career navigation and coaching support designed to help participants clarify career goals, identify next steps, expand their professional networks, and prepare for greater responsibility.

Participants will also have opportunities to engage with BE+’s broader community through roundtables and networking events.

Employers & Organizations

Does my employer need to be involved for me to participate?

Employer support is encouraged, particularly because participants will be balancing the program with their professional responsibilities. BE+ recommends that applicants discuss the program and expected time commitment with their supervisor or employer.

The program is intended to benefit both individual participants and the organizations they work for by building internal capacity, developing leaders, and strengthening the ability to deliver high-performance projects.

Can multiple employees from the same organization participate?

Yes. Group participation is encouraged. Multiple employees from the same organization may apply, although each individual must submit their own application.

Applicants from the same organization can indicate whether they would prefer to be placed in the same cohort or have opportunities to learn separately from their colleagues.

Does my employer have to pay for my participation?

The program training itself is fully subsidized for eligible participants. Employers are not expected to pay tuition for the program.

Participants should discuss the time commitment and scheduling with their employer or supervisor so that they can balance program participation with their work responsibilities.

Will my employer need to provide information about my career progress?

Because this is a workforce development program, BE+ will be tracking outcomes such as career advancement, role changes, wage increases, promotions, and additional project responsibilities.

Participants may be asked to provide this information directly, and BE+ may also seek employer confirmation or participation in outcome tracking.