Kingsborough Community College, together with the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), which is assisting contractors in meeting New York City's PlanNYC 2030 environmental goals, facilitated the first "Green Advantage" Training in New York City. "Green Advantage" is the nation's only green certification for contractors recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is targeted to women, minority-owned (MWBE) contractors, and other small business contractors with fewer than 50 employees. "Green Advantage" certified construction teams can qualify for one LEED® Innovation Credit, which can lead to tax incentives and other competitive advantages.

The training consists of a one full-day workshop that covers the principles of sustainable design, building systems and construction. It also includes a hands-on follow-up training with products and materials at Bettencourt Green Building Supplies and Green Depot, as well as a study guide and certification exam.

The first workshop was subsidized by a grant from CUNY Workforce Development Initiative, reducing the price from $450 to $150. The training session was attended by forty people and filled to capacity. It offered many networking opportunities and was well-received by attendees. The workshop was followed by a two-hour open-book certification exam on May 21, 2008.

CUNY professors and leaders in the construction field recognize the green industry's challenge in educating contractors to build green. While designers and architects are able to design environmentally friendly buildings, those buildings must then be built to rigid standards. The "Green Advantage" Training enables contractors to integrate green building practices and strategies into their projects and also gives them a competitive edge.