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
• 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.

Duration
Approximately 5 months beginning February 2027

Format
Hybrid: live sessions + flexible online learning

Time Commitment
Approximately 12-20 hours per month, with live workshops held approximately every other week

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

Learning Approach
Technical training + leadership development + applied experience

Cost
Free for MA residents; with stipends available 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.