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Subsidized training available for building contractors
People from across the Kootenay and Boundary communities working in the home building and renovation sector can access subsidized training to prepare for upcoming industry shifts and increased customer demand.
The Community Energy Association (CEA) is delivering workshops on high efficiency building envelopes and mechanical systems (i.e. heat pumps) as part of the Kootenay Clean Energy Transition (KCET) initiative.
“With the need to improve energy efficiency and home comfort in our communities, we are excited to offer local, subsidized training with industry experts for contractors and building experts across the Kootenays. We appreciate how busy our local contractors and tradespeople are, and we hope that offering subsidized training will make it easier for them to participate,” stated Jessica Martin-Thompson, Climate Initiatives Specialist with CEA.
It is not just the environment that will benefit from the transition to more efficient homes. With increasingly hot and smoky summers, there is an urgent need for cooler and healthy homes. Home energy retrofits will provide this shift to healthier and more comfortable homes, while saving energy costs for homeowners.
“This is a great opportunity for Kootenay contractors and tradespeople to stay ahead of evolving customer needs, especially with growing rebates available for home energy retrofits.” Martin-Thompson continues, “we’re seeing more homeowners interested in retrofits and we want to help homeowners and local contractors get ready for the shift.”
Training will occur late October and early November in Cranbrook, Grand Forks, and Castlegar. Go to shiftshappening.ca to learn more and register.
Training takes place in Cranbrook on October 27 and 28, Grand Forks on November 3 and 4, and Castlegar on November 7 and 8.
Furthermore, Community Workshops designed for other people interested in home energy efficiency are able to attend introductory events in Cranbrook on October 29, Grand Forks on November 5 and Castlegar on November 6.
KCET is a multi-year project that will build awareness and workforce capacity for a low carbon and clean energy transition in the Kootenays. The initiative’s focus is on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by targeting the two highest emitting sectors: buildings and transportation.
CEA is a member-based, non-profit organization working since 1995 at the community level to reduce emissions, conserve energy and progressively transition to a low carbon, resilient economy. As a non-profit consultant, all proceeds from CEA’s work go back into advancing low carbon solutions for community climate action. Its staff are distributed around BC and its Board is comprised of representatives from local governments, utilities, and the private sector.
