ReSOURCE: Weatherization 101
Meet Caz!
Caz Lomnitzer leveraged a Weatherization 101 training through ReSOURCE into a green job that got them out from behind a desk, helps keep building materials affordable and out of landfills and fit with environmental science background. They encourage others looking for a career change to try one of the ReSOURCE 101 Intensive trainings.
Meet Caz Lomnitzer, ReSOURCE, Weatherization 101 Graduate
Caz Lomnitzer: With their ReSOURCE Weatherization 101 Training Cohort
Caz lives in Putney, Vermont, and after three plus years working a remote desk job they started during the pandemic, Caz was ready to shift to a job that was a little more physical. Caz currently works for Deconstruction Works , a Vermont-based LEED certified company providing green jobs focused on creating a vibrant reuse culture recovering usable building materials destined for the landfill.
Their path to Deconstruction Works runs through Serve Learn Earn...
Caz spotted a flyer at the local general store for the ReSOURCE Weatherization 101 Intensive training in Brattleboro, and was intrigued. ReSOURCE is one of four partner organizations including Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Audubon Vermont, and Vermont Works for Women that comprise Vermont’s Serve Learn Earn (SLE). The ReSOURCE Weatherization 101 Intensive training is one of a set of 101 Intensive trainings offered by ReSOURCE in addition to several other SLE workforce development programs focused on creating pathways for individuals to access, high-paying, in demand jobs in the trades through affordable education, skills training and service-based learning opportunities.
We recently reconnected with Caz Lomnitzer, asking them to reflect back on their ReSOURCE Weatherization 101 Intensive training experience. Here are highlights from our conversation.
Caz grew up assisting their father with projects around the family home from fun projects using lumber scraps, to helping opening up cramped rooms in their home. “I actually wasn't expecting the training to be split between weatherization and construction, I was very happy about that. I had experience with power tools already, but it was like one brand. Seeing other brands, how similar and different they are that was pretty cool.”
Measure twice, cut once
When describing the projects they worked on Caz laughed, “the theater kid in me, wants to call them set pieces,” referring to the walls they built to be used by future cohorts for insulation training. In addition, Caz’s training cohort built Adirondack chairs and Leopold benches. Projects completed during SLE training programs are donated to non-profits, state parks or local communities. Caz was proud of the service aspect of the training as well. They shared that, “the benches went to a trail in a State Park. Just seeing how everything was coming together from just flat boards was pretty cool. I made a note of where the chairs were going, so if I go to those places, I'm going to be like, I built that.”
Weatherization 101 trainees get hands on experience
Caz also highlighted the value of the personal growth and professional skills they gained from the training. “You cram a lot of information into a short period of time, but it sticks and it's really useful. I got to meet a bunch of other people, got to interact with them. I'm always trying to advance my skills with communication.” Caz uses hearing aids and reads lips very well; however, they valued the opportunity to work on communication in a weatherization / construction-based setting during the training.
Caz also emphasized the employer placement opportunities that are extremely beneficial for participants completing the ReSOURCE 101 trainings. “We did a probationary period with few different jobs depending on what we were interested in and what was available.” Caz had the opportunity to do three employer placements. One placement had expressed concerns about how Caz might fare on a worksite due to their use of hearing aids and lip-reading for communication. They had no open positions at the time, but the experience was positive for Caz and the placement site. “I think I left a pretty good impression, so, they're not too worried about hiring anybody else who's hearing impaired. So, kind of getting the door open for other people helps too. A lot of the folks who work there have suffered hearing damage, so it's not that big a difference. I'm like, you can do this, and so can I. You just have to let me know what to do and not expect me to understand you if you're yelling through three rooms of a house.”
For folks who may not know a lot about Weatherization, Caz’s advice to anyone interested but unsure if the training is for them is to, “give it a shot because it worked for me. I would not have met Erich or heard of Deconstruction Works if not for the training.”
Thanks Caz and best of luck on your next Deconstruction project!