The donation provides professional development and career opportunities in the sustainable building sector through New Buildings Institute’s Next Gen Program
Portland, Ore. – Thanks to a generous donation from the Trane Technologies Charitable Foundation, 40 underrepresented students will now have access to professional development and career opportunities in the sustainable building sector through New Buildings Institute’s (NBI) Next Gen program.
The seven-month professional development program fosters diverse leaders in the next generation of building industry professionals and runs from November 2023 through June 2024, culminating with students meeting each other in person at the 2024 Getting to Zero Forum. The program also provides one-on-one mentorship, networking and résumé-building. At the end of the program, students have knowledge, connections and first-hand experience that allows them to make more informed decisions about their careers.
“Thanks to the Trane Technologies Charitable Foundation, we continue the excellent work of Next Gen,” said Leada Fuller-Marashi, NBI senior project manager. “The students always bring an infusion of new perspectives, curiosity and passion for making buildings better. We are thrilled to be able to bring these students to Trane Technologies’ backyard for the 2024 Getting to Zero Forum in Charlotte.”
Since the launch of Next Gen in 2021, 56 college and university students – 73% of whom are students of color and 77% female or nonbinary – have completed the program. “I joined the Next Gen program because I had a desire to learn more about sustainable building practices and my resources were practically nonexistent at school,” said Rosalinda Adams, a student at the City College of New York. “I am so happy to have had this opportunity to expand my learning through the Next Gen program.”
“Next Gen’s work is vital for ensuring a diverse and robust talent pipeline for the sustainable building sector,” said Deidra Parrish Williams, Trane Technologies’ leader of Global Corporate Social Responsibility. “Their work is a perfect extension of our commitment to creating a more sustainable future by making career opportunities in STEM and sustainability available to marginalized students around the world.”
Recruitment for Next Gen students and mentors begins this month with rolling applications accepted through October 2023. Students from a wide range of majors related to buildings are welcome to apply. More information is available at: https://newbuildings.org/next-gen-program/.
About New Buildings Institute
New Buildings Institute (NBI) is a nonprofit organization pushing for better buildings that achieve zero energy, zero carbon and beyond. For more than 25 years, NBI has worked collaboratively with industry market players to promote advanced design practices, innovative technologies, public policies and programs that improve energy efficiency. Learn more: newbuildingsin.wpenginepowered.com
About The Trane Technologies Charitable Foundation
The Trane Technologies Charitable Foundation is a philanthropic 501(c)3 established and funded by the company to act as its primary philanthropic vehicle. As such, its focus is on developing nonprofit relationships that specifically advance its corporate citizenship strategy, Sustainable Futures, which is to uplift students currently underrepresented in STEM careers by providing access to healthy learning environments, STEM/sustainability education, and pathways to careers. Through the Foundation and other philanthropic initiatives, Trane Technologies has pledged to invest $100 million to this work by 2030 and is on track to deliver.
Author
Leada Fuller-Marashi, New Buildings Institute
Media Contact
Becky Brun, New Buildings Institute
[email protected]
541-399-6813