CareerTech Embraces New Energy Cost-Saving Construction Technology

By Lauren Merryman
Communications and Marketing Intern

Oklahoma CareerTech construction programs will be training with a new “greenbuild” technology donated by Greenblock Worldwide that not only saves money while helping the environment, it may help save homes from a variety of disasters.

In January Greenblock Worldwide, a manufacturer of insulating concrete form blocks, announced its donation of more than $25,000 worth of forms and associated tools and materials throughout the state’s technology center construction programs.  Supplies and curriculum will be delivered in May with programs kicking off across the state in the fall. 

CareerTech Construction Technology Instructor Keith Parks at Ft. Supply Skills Center is the first to implement training with the donated Greenblock material. CareerTech Skills Centers are located behind prison walls in 23 correctional facilities in Oklahoma.

“Greenblock products are user friendly,” Parks said. “We have used other systems that require a complicated installation of more cumbersome materials. With this, construction time of typical wall installations is reduced by 50 percent or better with fewer braces required.”

And, the Greenblock material weighs only one pound per square foot, is easy to handle, and has a locking system that is far greater than other products that are used in the industry.

Parks believes exposure to and education about Greenblock’s benefits is important.

“Greenblock has better heat distribution and lower noise infiltration, is fire resistant and termite and tornado proof,” Parks said. “Consumers and building contractors need to be aware of this vital information.”

While thousands of Greenblock structures have been successfully completed across Europe and North America, they are new in Oklahoma. Parks plans to train, teach and educate many young students about the construction methods of insulated concrete forms.

“People who live in Greenblock homes have utility bills that are as much as 70 percent lower, which will save money for the future while saving trees,” said Larry Bullock, state CareerTech trade and industrial education program specialist.

“The importance of training students in the installation of this system is that the Green Build concept is moving quickly into the construction industry,” Bullock said. “We are in a good position to add this construction concept to our programs and begin preparing workers for this new and coming industry.”

The bottom line for CareerTech and its graduates is the assurance that they find well-paying jobs after completing their programs.

“Industry contacts are so important. I have already placed students with an insulating concrete form contractor in Oklahoma City,” Parks said. “We are committed to placing our students in a training-related jobs as they leave our programs at the skills centers.”