REGION – On March 12, six area carpenters completed training to earn the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network’s (SEON) Level I High Performance Builder certification. The newly certified builders represent three Windham County companies, all members of SEON: Black Mountain Builders, Mathes Hulme Builders, and Apple Tree Builders.
The following organizations provided resources for the class: Windham Regional Career Center, WW Building Supply, Benjamin Obdyke, 475 High Performance Building Supply, TimberHP, and Sierra Pacific Windows.
To achieve certification, participants successfully completed two courses: “Basics of High Performance Building” and, most recently, the hands-on course “Water, Air, and Thermal Continuous Control Layers.” With this most recent cohort, a total of 33 carpenters and builders have now earned SEON’s Level I certification.
The knowledge and skills gained through these courses are foundational for addressing building challenges in Vermont’s cold and wet climate. Most building failures can be traced to a lack of understanding or improper application of building science principles. As instructors often note, “It’s the attention to detail and level of precision that guides the team’s building process and distinguishes a durable, energy-efficient home.”
For homeowners planning to build or renovate, selecting a builder with a trained workforce is critical. The knowledge and skills of building science embedded in these courses are essential to achieve the level of efficiency and comfort homeowners deserve.
The Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit training organization that delivers in-person courses on building science and leadership development throughout Vermont. To learn more and view the 2026 training schedule, visit www.buildingscience.org.