The NAHB University of Housing is currently working on new courses and pilots, including two new green building courses that would become the curriculum for the Master Green Builder Remodeler (MGBR) designation. Several current courses are being revised to include updated information for both builders and remodelers.

New Courses and Pilots

• Home Technology Integration: Through the generous sponsorship of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), The NAHB University of Housing is developing this new one-day course. This course is intended for developers, architects, builders, designers, remodelers, electronic systems contractors (ESCs) and those involved in new and existing home marketing and sales. Expected to pilot on November 5, 2009 at the Custom Builder Symposium + Design Institute in San Diego, the course will provide a general overview of home technology products, trends, resources, sales and marketing, and installation practices so that industry professionals can evaluate and profitably offer home technology design solutions that meet the needs and wants of today’s customers. Upon completion at the end of this year, the course will become an elective credit for the Master Certified New Home Sales Professional (MCSP) designation.
• Marketing to the Active Adult (MAA): The goal of this course is to provide housing professionals with strategies, techniques and tools to help successfully market housing to active adults. Special emphasis is placed on Internet marketing strategies that are effective in reaching and motivating active adults. The MAA course is expected to be available at the end of 2009 or in early January 2010 and will become an elective credit for individuals seeking to earn the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation. This course will also benefit those individuals and/or organizations that are currently involved in, about to enter, or are considering the active adult housing market. This audience includes large- and small-volume single-family and multifamily builders and developers, marketing and sales professionals, advertising and public relations firms, remodelers and other housing, design and real estate professionals.
• Green Project Management: The purpose of this two-day course is to educate builders and remodelers on how to successfully integrate green building practices and techniques into the management of a project by focusing on the whole-house approach to building. The course will also discuss how to navigate and incorporate the certification process in the project.
• Green Building Science: The purpose of this two-day course is to instruct builders and remodelers on proper building science techniques for constructing high-performance residences. The high-performance home is not just about energy efficiency but also about creating a more durable, comfortable, healthy, environmentally responsible and sustainable environment.

  These green building courses will become the curriculum for the Master Green Builder Remodeler (MGBR) designation, which is currently in development.

Revised Courses

• Business Accounting and Job Cost: At the end of June 2009, an updated version of this course (which will incorporate content from the retired Finance Banking course) will be available. This course will provide the terminology and method foundation necessary for builders and remodelers to comprehend basic business reporting and job cost procedures, measurement and analysis. In addition, an introduction to the more common types of financing methods for new homes, construction loans and operating capital will be covered.
• Scheduling: Look for this revised course to be available in late July 2009. The goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and tools to use schedules effectively in their business. The pilot was held June 8 at the Greater Houston Builders Association.
• Green Building for Building Professionals: Working with NAHB’s green building staff and experts in the field, The NAHB University of Housing is revising this 2006 course. The updated course will incorporate new information on the latest residential green building resources: the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved National Green Building Standard™ and NAHB Green (www.nahbgreen.org), which includes an online scoring tool that allows builders anywhere to design, build and certify green projects.
• Building Codes, Standards, and Guidelines (formerly titled “Building Codes and Standards”): The NAHB University of Housing unveiled this revised course at IBS 2009. As the new title suggests, the course is based on the current 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) requirements and includes a section on standards. Leading-edge trends in code development and NAHB’s popular Residential Construction Performance Guidelines are also covered. This course is currently being offered through HBAs and at national venues.