I was fortunate to meet Joshua Garza and Karen Aragon of Building Skills Partnership (BSP) at Greenbuild this year, and to learn about the Building Skills Green Janitorial Workforce Development Program, also known as the Green Janitor Education Program (GJEP).  GJEP empowers janitors to operate and maintain healthier, safer workspaces by providing training in a 30-hour curriculum which includes energy monitoring and conservation, waste reduction, water conservation, green cleaning, janitorial and occupant health and safety, green performance standards, and other sustainable topics and practices.

GJEP also focuses on communications skills and confidence building, encouraging and enabling custodians to report what they observe and advocate for improvements. The program recognizes that janitorial staff are often the first to perceive building health, safety, or operational challenges, and that these professionals need the confidence to communicate and act on what they perceive.   

Started in 2014 with support from organizations including the USGBC California, BOMA-GLA, and SEIU-WSWW, the program is a partnership between labor unions, employers of janitors, and building owners and managers.  Everyone benefits from this kind of future-economy forward, environmentally responsible program. Examples of stakeholders and benefits include: 

• Employees gain new marketable skills and literacy and a validating certification for their efforts, and recognition for the important frontline position they play in building operations, impact, and health and safety. 
• Buildings save energy and water, which result in economic savings as well. BSP reports that on average, GJEP buildings use more than 5% less energy than non-GJEP buildings, and over 75% of GJEP buildings report lower energy usage.  
• Buildings also gain access to a skilled workforce following consistent practices and standards that can meet the demands of operating today’s buildings, including meeting the requirements of LEED and other building certifications and standards. The program can also contribute to a LEED innovation point.  
• Building management benefits from increased asset values and occupancy - people want to work in healthier, more sustainable spaces. 
• Building occupants also benefit from a professional janitorial team trained to operate today’s demanding buildings
• Surrounding communities benefit from reduced emissions and building operational impacts. There are also intangible benefits from community members learning sustainable skills and information they can also apply at home. According to GJEP, 80% of program participants say they apply information and practices at home they learned through the program. 
• Equity gains are also realized, as the program is inclusive of more building stakeholders.  Additionally, GJEP is offered in multiple languages, giving more people and professionals an interest and a voice in future sustainable outcomes

The GJEP curriculum is designed in collaboration with USGBC California, Building Skills Partnership (BSP), the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater Los Angeles (BOMA-GLA), industry experts, building owners, and the janitor’s union (SEIU-United Service Workers West). The program is currently available in California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and Texas.GJEP partners with janitorial employers, property management companies, and responsible business owners in commercial properties, tech, and entertainment industries.

To learn more about the Building Skills Partnership (BSP): https://www.buildingskills.org/workforce-development  
To learn more about the Green Janitor Education Program (GJEP): https://www.buildingskills.org/green-janitor-education-program 

• Filed Under: Cleaning Services - Commercial
• Keywords : Health, Green Cleaning, Facilities, maintenance, Safety, Cleaning, operations, Green Janitors, Janitors, Janitorial

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