BEM Education and Career Development Resources
Most professionals working in Building Energy Modeling today arrived here by accident. They studied environmental science, applied mathematics, engineering, architecture, or computer science and simply never heard BEM mentioned as a career option. This project is designed to change that.
The goal is simple: to accelerate the process of people finding building energy modeling. By connecting working practitioners with college and university classrooms across California, we give students a direct line to careers they might otherwise never discover.
BEM careers exist across a wide range of disciplines and roles, from Title 24 compliance modelers and mechanical engineers to software developers, data scientists, energy consultants, and green building designers. This project was built to help map those connections and makes them visible.
Included on this page are resources for students and professionals to learn about BEM and access additional resources to boost their careers.
BEM Career Pathways Initiation Project, 2025-2027
Explore resources developed through the BEM Career Pathways project, started in 2025 and running through 2027, developed out of Working Group 2 and led by A2 Efficiency and West Monroe on behalf of Southern California Edison and California IOUs. The project developed a toolkit of resources to help educators and professionals introduce Building Energy Modeling (BEM) to students and emerging professionals through guest lectures, classroom materials, and career insights that highlight pathways in architecture, engineering, and energy analysis. The materials below, along with a process of facilitation to identify classes and potential practitioners in the area, was developed by the team.
Speaker Slides / Classroom Materials
Introductory slide decks and a short instructor guide designed to help educators give students their first exposure to Building Energy Modeling (BEM). These materials provide a high-level overview of what BEM is, why it matters, and where it fits in building design and energy performance.
The guest lecture runs approximately 45–50 minutes and covers:
- What is BEM and how it is applied in practice
- Energy codes and standards (Title 24 Parts 6 and 11, CALGreen)
- Real project case studies from California and beyond
- Tools and software used by working energy modelers
- Career pathways, salary ranges, certifications, and next steps
Main Deck Categories:
- Introduction
- What Is a Model
- Codes & Standards
- Case Studies
- Tools
- Careers & Future of BEM
- Certifications
Case Studies
Building Case Studies
Real-world examples showing how Building Energy Modeling informs design decisions, code compliance, emissions outcomes, and building performance.
Science Classroom Building
K-12 • San Francisco
Single-Family Passive House LA
Residential • Passive House
Historic Renovation – Pitzer College
Institutional • Pitzer
Small Office Net Zero Renovation
Office • T24 Compliance
Bay Area School Office Addition
K-12 • T24 Compliance
Multi-Family Existing Building
Renovation Multifamily • Residential
Office Collaboration Center
All electric • Office
Community Nature Center
Net Zero • Education
Multi-Family New Net Zero – LA
Affordable Housing
Download PDF
Download pptx
Job Boards
Looking to start or grow your career in Building Energy Modeling (BEM)? The job boards below connect you with current opportunities across energy, sustainability, and building performance industries.
USGBC-CA Career Center
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) California Green Jobs page
- Features California-based jobs, including building energy modeling opportunities.
IBPSA-USA Job Board
International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) Jobs page.
- Lists building energy modeling job opportunities
Certifications
Below are Professional Certifications for Energy Modelers, credentials that span building performance, energy efficiency, and green building, recognized across the industry to validate your expertise.
Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) credential via CABEC, the California Association of Building Energy Consultants
CABEC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reliable information on California’s Title 24 energy standards and helping energy consultants stay current on building energy efficiency through certification, training, conferences, and professional development
Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) certification by ASHRAE.
ASHRAE is a global professional society founded in 1894, originally standing for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, now operating simply as “ASHRAE” to reflect its broader scope across all building systems, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
LEED Credentials (Green Associate/ Advanced Professional)
The USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, and operated through its LEED green building program.
Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
Phius (Passive House Institute US), a nonprofit committed to making high-performance passive building the mainstream standard, training and certifying professionals, and maintaining a climate-specific passive building standard applicable across North America.
Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
The AEE (Association of Energy Engineers) is a nonprofit professional society founded in 1977 with over 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, focused on promoting the scientific and educational interests of energy professionals and fostering sustainable development.
Trainings
Explore self-paced and instructor-led learning opportunities that support foundational skills in Building Energy Modeling (BEM), Title 24 energy code, and high-performance building design.
Southern California Edison Energy Education Centers
SCE offers free in-person and online classes covering energy efficiency, building systems, and clean energy technologies, taught by industry professionals and open to students, engineers, architects, and trade professionals across California.
PG&E Energy Education Centers
– PG&E offers over 400 free technical courses for businesses and professionals covering energy efficiency, building systems, electrification, and more, available online, in-person, and on-demand throughout Northern and Central California.
Energy Code Ace
Live and on-demand trainings on California’s Title 24, Part 6 Energy Code. Topics include compliance fundamentals, building systems, forms and documentation, and updates to the standards.
California Regional Energy Networks
California Regional Energy Networks (CalREN) are utility-funded programs that support energy efficiency education, training, and outreach across the state. Each network serves a specific region and offers resources for building professionals, contractors, and students looking to develop practical skills in energy efficiency and decarbonization.
One network with a particular focus on our area is 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network, serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties), which maintains a library of self-paced trainings covering building science, decarbonization, mechanical systems, energy efficiency, and high-performance construction practices.
California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC)
CABEC is the primary professional organization for energy consultants working under California’s Title 24 energy code. Beyond certification, CABEC offers a learning center with webinars, workshops, and continuing education resources specifically focused on building energy compliance and performance.
CABEC Mentorship Program CABEC also offers a formal mentorship program connecting emerging energy professionals with experienced Certified Energy Analysts. It’s one of the few structured mentorship opportunities in the California energy consulting field and a valuable resource for students and early-career practitioners looking to build real-world skills and industry connections.
Podcasts
Podcasts & Audio Resources
Listen to expert discussions about BEM practice, career journeys, and industry trends.
Featured Podcasts:
- Watts the Story – Monthly podcast from IBPSA-USA’s Emerging Professionals and Students of IBPSA-USA Committee (EPSI). Conversations with modelers, educators, and practitioners across the BEM community.
Best for: students and early-career modelers. - Passive House Podcast – Weekly interviews from Passive House Accelerator, frequently featuring California projects and practitioners. Covers practical modeling, building codes, and decarbonization.
Best for: applied modeling and low-carbon design. - ASHRAE Journal Podcast – Covers standards, design simulation, indoor air quality (IAQ), and policy context from ASHRAE experts.
Best for: staying current with professional guidelines and industry standards impacting modeling work.
Additional & Related Listening:
- IronRingGirls Podcast – Offers general career and inclusion perspectives in engineering and may inspire those exploring pathways into the BEM field. Occasionally features building-science and consulting perspectives.
Best for: leadership, mentorship, and career inspiration.
IronRingGirls Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Additional Community Resources
Expand your knowledge with curated portals, tutorials, and community organizations supporting the building energy modeling field.
IBPSA-USA (International Building Performance Simulation Association – USA)
The U.S. regional affiliate of the international IBPSA, dedicated to advancing and promoting the science of building simulation to improve the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings across the United States. A key professional home for energy modelers, with conferences, student programs, and a job board.
USGBC California
A nonprofit network of sustainability leaders, developers, architects, students, and advocates working to design, build, and operate resilient, high-performance communities across California. Formed by the unification of California’s regional USGBC chapters into a single statewide organization, offering education, workforce development, community events, and networking.
DOE Building Energy Modeling
The U.S. Department of Energy’s official overview of building energy modeling, what it is, why it matters, and how it’s used to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in the built environment. A solid starting point for students new to the field.
About Building Energy Modeling | Energy.gov
BEMcyclopedia
A U.S. Department of Energy–sponsored information and education portal for building energy modeling, developed with support from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and IBPSA-USA. The primary goal is to provide practical guidance to practitioners on how, when, and why to apply BEM at various steps in the design process. Includes tutorials, background material on building physics and HVAC, and lookup data tools, particularly valuable for beginners.
Bring a BEM Expert to Your Classroom
Help students discover careers in Building Energy Modeling. Request a guest speaker to share real-world experience, industry insights, and career pathways directly from professionals working in the field.
To request a speaker from 2026 through the end of 2027, email us at bempathways@a2efficiency.com
Believe a resource is missing from this list? Contact BEMPathways@a2efficiency.com to submit a BEM education or career resource.