CANADA GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
CAGBC receives $7.8 M for low carbon training

New program will upskill professionals and accelerate zero-carbon building

On June 2, the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) announced it received a contribution of $7.8 M in funding to develop and deliver a low-carbon training program for building professionals. Obtained through the Government of Canada, the contribution will help upskill architects, engineers, contractors, and owners and operators for low-carbon buildings. 

The Building Skills for Climate Change: Low-Carbon Training Program will cover five critical competencies needed to support low-carbon new construction and retrofits: transition planning for deep carbon retrofits, addressing Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) through low-carbon buildings, the role of the Integrated Design Processes, life cycle assessments and energy modelling and management. 

The program aims to increase knowledge of low-carbon core concepts and to establish a common vocabulary to remove siloes across the full spectrum of the building sector. Over 3,000 participants will access enhanced training and skills development through the program, including those from equity-deserving groups. 

CAGBC will leverage its national membership and partnership network to create and promote the programs. National partners supporting training development include Real Property Association of Canada (REALPAC), the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), the Canadian Construction Association, the Climate Risk Institute, and BOMA Canada. Communications support will also be provided by Efficiency Canada, Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association, Workforce 2030 and the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC), as well as numerous regional partners. 

The funding comes through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program from Employment and Social Development Canada. This funding helps vital sectors of the economy implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs. The Low-Carbon Training Program falls under the "Building Talent for the Clean Economy" policy priority areas as it contributes to Canada's Climate Action Plan and Just Transition. 

Quotes:

"As one of Canada's highest carbon emitters, the building sector must embrace zero carbon buildings as a proven solution for meaningful carbon reductions. Our success will be dependent on access to a robust and skilled workforce ready to build and retrofit on a massive scale. The Government of Canada contribution to the Low Carbon Building Program will enable the reskilling of thousands of professionals and workers. Workforce development along with climate change policy and shift in investor sentiment will be critical in scaling Canada's low-carbon economy." Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, Canada Green Building Council

"Workers are at the heart of Canada's prosperity. They've built the industries that create wealth across the country and they'll be the people who build the industries of tomorrow. Through this investment, the federal government is investing in the future of the construction sector to make sure workers have the skills they need to meet the changing demands of a low-carbon economy." Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

"Focused on our purpose to create a better world for all, the partnership with CAGBC as well as other National partners, is direct action as we work towards our goal to accelerate design and construction for human, climate and ecological health. It is the responsibility of the architectural community to build and design in order to minimize the impact of carbon emissions. Low carbon upskilling for architects is a vital step that we can all take together in reducing the impact of carbon emissions in the built environment." Mike Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Architects Institute of Canada

"REALPAC is pleased to support the Building Skills for Climate Change: Low-Carbon Training Program, aimed at providing real estate professionals with the core competencies required to support the transition to a low carbon economy. We recognize the crucial role real estate investors, owners and managers play in this space, and look forward to helping accelerate their journey."  Michael Brooks, CEO, REALPAC

"With buildings representing almost 40 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Canada's construction industry has been driving the conversation forward on updating procurement, incentivizing investment in resilient materials and adoption of green solutions, improving access to data and climate modelling, modernizing building codes, and increasing the construction workforce to address current shortages while building capacity for the future. This new program will help the industry train, develop and upskill the workforce we need. With more investment and by leveraging the best minds, training and upskilling workers, and integrating new tools and technologies, we can deliver lasting, more resilient infrastructure. "  Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction Association

"Applying low-carbon practices and principles across the country's building portfolio will be critical to achieving the Government of Canada's goal of Net-Zero by 2050. The Climate Risk Institute is delighted to be a part of ESDC's Low-Carbon Building Skills program, which will provide the needed competencies to upskill the engineering workforce, enabling them to integrate low-carbon principles into their professional practice for building retrofits and new buildings." Erik Sparling, Climate Risk Institute

"Buildings play an important role in every aspect of our lives, and they form a significant part of our collective effort to transition to a low-carbon economy. This requires continuous training of building personnel to help develop skills needed to operate and manage buildings in the most sustainable way with little or no impact on the environment. BOMA Canada is thrilled to be collaborating with CAGBC and our other industry allies on this ESDC project to develop low-carbon skills training for the building sector." Benjamin Shinewald, President & CEO, BOMA Canada.