Our mission is to develop quality education and training programs that raise standards for property service work.
We do that by preparing workers in the industry to lead, together with our partners, for cleaner, greener, safer, and more inclusive workplaces.
Learn more about each of our programs:
A National Presence with a State Specific Approach.
The SEIU Education and Support Fund has partnered with Building Skills Partnership and SEIU local unions to expand the groundbreaking Green Janitor program. The program offers a certificate for janitors from the U.S. Green Building Council-California with a curriculum addressing energy and water efficiency, waste management, and worker health and safety. We've completed pilot courses in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, and Minneapolis.
Property Service Workers clean and disinfect our built environment including residential and office buildings, as well as public spaces like airports and retail establishments. These workers are primarily people of color, immigrants and women. Their work is often low-paid, contingent and insecure. ESF's unique partnership with SEIU ensures that janitors' voices are centered in program design to improve industry standards.
Check out the new article from the U.S. Green Building Council on the Green Janitor program!
Explore the significant impact of the Green Janitor Health Certification Program expansion with our in-depth report, featuring insights from course evaluations by graduates in Portland and Denver. Discover how this program has empowered janitors to implement sustainable practices, enhance building efficiency, and promote healthier workplaces.
Janitors in multiple cities seek to expand the ground-breaking Green Janitor program as part of their effort to build respect for their work and be part of the response to the climate crisis. The 30 hour course offers a certification for janitors from the U.S. Green Building Council- Los Angeles with a curriculum addressing energy and water efficiency, waste management, green cleaning, and worker health and safety. A study from SEED-LA indicates that buildings where janitors go through the course average a 5.6% reduction in building energy usage.
Building owners benefit in supporting expansion of Green Janitor programs through reduced energy and water costs, as well as empowering janitors to participate in the goals of the LEED rating system.
As part of our ongoing commitment to workers and the environment through the Green Janitor Health Certification Program, the SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF) has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a 2024 Safer Choice Partner of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes our efforts to promote the use of safer chemicals and environmentally responsible cleaning practices that protect workers, families, and communities.
The Safer Choice program, an EPA initiative, certifies products that meet stringent human and environmental health criteria. Through our Green Janitor Health Certification Program, ESF has trained over 300 SEIU janitors across six states, educating them on the importance of choosing safer products with the Safer Choice label. This 30-hour course, developed in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, empowers janitors to advocate for healthier workplaces and sustainable practices.
We are proud to be recognized for our dedication to creating safer, more sustainable working environments and for our ongoing efforts to support janitors in promoting environmental health and safety.
Additionally, ESF serves as the third party administrator for the SEIU Leadership Training and Education Fund (SEIU LTEF), a joint labor-management training fund created by janitorial contractors and SEIU local unions to raise standards for this critical work.
Notice Of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
The SEIU Leadership Training and Education Fund admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.
Plan Name: SEIU Leadership Training and Education Fund 〡EIN: 92-3757520
Plan Administrator: Board of Trustees of the SEIU Leadership Training and Education Fund
For a description of existing or anticipated courses of study, including prerequisites and the procedure for enrolling, contact SEIU LTEF, 351 Pleasant Street Suite B215, Northampton, MA 01060, or email us.
