The Sustainable Masonry Certification Program from the International Masonry Institute (IMI) now includes 31 contractors nationwide.

The program educates union masonry contractors on the basics of sustainability practices and their role in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® certification process. The course also addresses subcontractor responsibilities from estimating and project scope to project management and documentation.

It also covers the LEED credits every masonry contractor should know, plus green strategies like site use and construction waste management. Contractors are tested to verify their ability to fulfill LEED responsibilities.

"When masonry contractors understand how they can contribute to successful LEED projects, everybody wins," says IMI President Joan Calambokidis. "A LEED project's evolution from concept to reality can make a big difference in whether LEED goals are achieved."