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Growing a Greener Workforce
When it comes to making LA greener, every little thing we do adds up to ONE BIG THING!
Be a part of it all.
Growing a Greener Workforce (GGW) sustainability classes and workshops are your first step!
The more you know about fostering a sustainable and resilient Los Angeles, the more you can do for your city, your job, and your family. Metro is making classes available for LA Metro staff, community members, and anyone concerned about the future of Los Angeles.
Learn about sustainability in our city. Below is the schedule and registration information!
*Indicates training includes an exam.
Sustainability 101 and Metro’s Sustainability Plan
Host:
LA Metro Office of Sustainability
Difficulty Level:
Introductory
Description:
This is a 90-minute introductory course that teaches participants basic sustainability fundamental concepts, and highlights Metro’s 10-year Moving Beyond Sustainability strategic plan and the targets it sets.
Created for participants with a range of basic to no prior knowledge of sustainability and environmental compliance. This may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Students
- General Public
- Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Class Date Options:
This training is delivered in two parts. When signing up, please register for Parts 1 and 2.
Extreme Heat for Contractors and Landscapers
Host:
USGBC-LA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
Description:
A certification for construction professionals to learn the best practices around improvements and materials for buildings and landscapes to reduce the long-term extreme heat-related impacts of climate change.
Created for construction professionals interested in learning strategies to create safer and healthier environments on a local level that will create a more resilient California. Applicable professionals may include:
- Construction Industry Professionals
- Metro Employees and Contractors
Class Date Options:
TBD
The Principles of Building Green
Host:
USGBC-LA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
Description:
In GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green, students will learn how to see buildings differently and understand foundational strategies that make them efficient, healthy, and resilient.
Created for professionals seeking a better understanding of high-performance building. This may include:
- Construction, Architecture, Engineering, or Real Estate Industry Professionals
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Students interested in entering the building or construction industry
Class Date Options:
TBD
Role of Transit in Regional Decarbonization and Displaced Emissions
Host:
LA Metro Office of Sustainability
Difficulty Level:
Introductory
Description:
An introductory module that explains the role of transit in mitigating regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by removing single-occupancy vehicles from the road through providing public transit services.
Created for participants with a range of basic to no prior knowledge about regional decarbonization who are interested in learning more about Metro’s role in displacing emissions in Southern California. This may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Students
- General Public
- Community-based Organizations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Class Date Options:
April 16, 2026 10 – 11am Registration Link
September 16, 2026 10 – 11am Registration Link
Envision
Host:
Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
Description:
The Envision Framework is globally recognized as a best-practices approach to sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure. The framework is supported by the Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) designation — an increasingly important credential for any professional involved in civil infrastructure. This is virtual training – after taking the 8-hour training session, you will be eligible to take the ENV SP online exam.
Created for professionals looking to attain a globally recognized credential in civil infrastructure that will equip them with knowledge to apply Envision concepts to their daily work. Applicable professionals may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Professionals in STEM-related industries
- General Public
Class Dates:
June 25 & 26, 2026. 8am – 12pm each day Registration Link TBD
Decarbonization and ESG Fundamentals
Host:
USGBC-LA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
Description:
This workshop is ideal for individuals or teams looking to learn fundamentals and demonstrate leadership with both carbon accounting and ESG reporting. Learn the breakdown of voluntary frameworks, how to analyze and report business operations, and make improvements that will serve people, the planet, and profit.
Created for professionals who encounter projects or contracts that require them to understand and provide their emissions and are interested in better understanding these reporting frameworks. Applicable professionals may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Planning, Construction, or Sustainability Industry Professionals
Class Date Options:
June 17, 2026 1 – 2pm Registration Link TBD
GPRO Construction Management
Host:
USGBC-LA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
Description:
Low-carbon, energy-efficient construction will play a critical role in meeting increasingly stringent local and national building performance goals. These projects will require an understanding of new technologies, processes, and improved coordination across disciplines. GPRO Construction Management provides practitioners with sustainability best practices and actionable strategies for every phase of construction, as well as how to avoid common mistakes.
Created for participants interested in learning practical steps to manage successful, sustainable and cost-effective construction projects. Professionals may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Construction Managers and General Contractors
- Project managers and site superintendents
- Students and apprentices in construction fields
Class Date Options:
TBD
The Benefits of Native Plants in Los Angeles
Host:
LA Metro Office of Sustainability
Difficulty Level:
Introductory
Description:
This class highlights the pivotal role native plants play in fostering sustainability, improving the environment, providing health and wellness benefits, and promoting equity in Southern California. With a focus on conserving water, enhancing environmental health, improving mental health, and advocating for equitable access and knowledge of green spaces, the native plants training aims to empower individuals and communities to embrace native flora as an integral component of their landscapes.
Created for participants with a range of basic to no prior knowledge about native plants. This may include:
- Metro Employees and Contractors
- Students
- General Public
- Community-based Organizations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Class Date Options:
March 10, 2026 10 – 11am Registration Link
May 14, 2026 1 – 2pm Registration Link
August 12, 2026 10 – 11am Registration Link
October 22, 2026 1 – 2pm Registration Link
Interested in other types of training or want to get in touch? Email us here.
Learn more about our course delivery partners
USGBC-LA
Founded in 2002, USGBC-LA is a 501(c)3 non-profit and member-based organization whose mission is to transform Southern California’s built environment into a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable region for all. We lead by inspiring leaders throughout our communities to take action on climate change, public health, and environmental justice while educating, developing, and empowering a diverse talent pipeline through our training, mentorship, and direct-to-community programs. We connect by merging interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborations to create positive systemic change. We advocate through promoting innovative, impactful policy solutions addressing the most urgent environmental and social challenges of our time.
USGBC-LA has partnered with LA Metro on Growing a Greener Workforce since 2017. For more information about USGBC-LA, please visit https://usgbc-la.org/
Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI)
The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure is an education and research nonprofit (a 501c3) based in Washington DC. ISI advances sustainable infrastructure using the Envision sustainability framework, through education, training and third-party project verification.
ISI has partnered with LA Metro on Growing a Greener Workforce since 2017.
For more information about ISI, please visit https://sustainableinfrastructure.org/.
Interested in other types of training or want to get in touch? Reach out here: raslans@metro.net.
