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Model Survey for Construction Workforce Professionals

This survey was developed by the National Rural Code Collaborative (NRCC) through engagement with rural stakeholders in Texas and Oklahoma. The purpose of this survey is to answer the following research questions related to the goals of the NRCC for Texas and Oklahoma.
1. To understand the goals and priorities of rural communities in the state, the organizations supporting rural communities in meeting those goals, and their relationship to energy efficiency
2. To understand the drivers of gaps in energy code adoption, compliance, and enforcement in rural areas of the state
3. To understand how to optimize local workforce development to improve the capacity and capability of the clean energy workforce in rural communities, including the balance between the demand for projects and job creation and training

We are seeking feedback from Texas and Oklahoma rural community experts, building energy code experts, and construction workforce professionals. Your answers to these questions will inform the design of an impactful pilot program focused on improving code implementation in rural communities in Texas and Oklahoma in the next phase of the project.
The following questions are based on Construction business in rural communities.
1.Is there sufficient work to support a robust and trained contractor network in rural communities in your area?(Required.)
2.What is a typical “short” commute (one way) to a rural area site? Please answer in hours.(Required.)
3.What is a typical “long” commute (one way) to a rural area site? Please answer in hours.(Required.)
4.Which of the following jobs do you work on in rural areas? (select all that apply) (Residential includes detached one and two-family dwellings and townhomes, and Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 buildings three stories or less in height above grade plane)(Required.)
5.How frequently does your work on existing buildings in rural communities require implementation of the energy code?(Required.)
6.Which answer below best describes the workers that would be found on rural job sites?(Required.)
7.Rate your own proficiency with the energy code.(Required.)
Limited
Fair
Moderate
Good
Excellent
8.Does insufficient capacity of code officials delay projects in rural communities?(Required.)
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very often
I don't know
9.Which of the following do you encounter related to energy code in inspections? (select all that apply)(Required.)
10.What aspects of the energy code do you find most challenging to understand? (Indicate: difficult, neutral, easy)(Required.)
Difficult
Neutral
Easy
Building Envelope
Mechanical Systems
Electrical Power and Lighting
Renewables
Performance-based compliance
The following questions are focused on Barriers to Code Adoption, Compliance, Enforcement
11.Please state your level of agreement with the following statements. (Disagree, Neutral, Agree)(Required.)
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
The cost of building permits discourages applicants from applying and is a barrier to compliance with building and energy codes in rural communities.
The cost of construction to comply with energy codes is a barrier to meeting those standards for communities that adopt them.
The cost of construction to comply with building energy codes is a common concern for builders and developers.
The following questions are focused on Workforce Development for Construction Professionals
12.Is continuing education on the energy code provided or paid for by your employer?(Required.)
13.Please indicate if the following are barriers to continuing education (check all that apply).(Required.)
14.Where did you receive training to become a construction professional? Check all that apply.(Required.)
15.Are local training programs available to rural community members to enter the construction profession?(Required.)
16.What are the barriers to accessing these programs? Check all that apply:(Required.)
17.Do you think there are enough local training programs available for rural community members to enter the construction profession to meet demand(Required.)
The following questions are focused on Community education and outreach.
18.Which the following goals are important to rural communities in Texas and Oklahoma from your perspective (Check all that apply)(Required.)
19.Which of the following goals do you think energy efficiency has a positive effect on in rural communities in Texas or Oklahoma (check all that apply)(Required.)
20.What are the primary sources of information about building and energy codes in rural community in Texas or Oklahoma? (select all that apply)(Required.)
21.Which of the following statements applied to rural communities in Texas or Oklahoma do you agree with. (select all that apply)(Required.)