New building policies like Toronto’s emerging BEPS will result in increasing the demand for planning and undertaking building retrofits. The City estimates that to reach net zero by 2040, we need to retrofit 476,000 homes and buildings, creating approximately 16,000 jobs. This growth will come in fields like HVAC, insulation, electrical, and general construction. Will the workforce be ready?
To train more people for the green jobs workforce, organizations need policy certainty to support program development, funding, and employment opportunities. At the same time, governments don’t want to rush policies until there’s enough labour to deliver the work needed to comply. We spoke to several experts in this area and received similar responses – overall, there’s a huge enthusiasm for BEPS from the labour community. We’ve also heard an emphasis that new policy must have ample lead time, predictability, and resources available for training.
While Toronto’s BEPS bylaw is being developed, there are some inspiring organizations getting a head start on training. These are some of the leaders helping to develop the green building workforce.
Building Up is Toronto’s social purpose builder
Building Up has a goal “to address the need for green retrofitting, the housing crisis, and the skilled labour shortage with a single solution.” They run a paid, 16-week Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program that provides classroom and on the job training specifically to prepare individuals facing barriers to employment (such as those who have not completed high school, newcomers, Ontario Works recipients, etc.) for trades careers. Participants receive training in a vast array of work, including deep energy retrofits, several different methods of insulation, water efficiency upgrades, drywall, and energy audits.
Since 2014, they have trained nearly 800 people, with an impressive 90% of their program graduates now being employed full-time. TAF has partnered with Building Up on several Retrofit Accelerator projects and has supported 8,000 hours of trainee work. These types of highly targeted training programs ensure people at-risk are positioned to benefit from the growing demand for retrofits and provide an important piece of the workforce development puzzle.
Labour Education Centre provides access to good work
The Labour Education Centre (LEC) was founded in 1988 to help communities access work opportunities and shift towards social, economic and environmental justice.
LEC is planning ahead for the skills and jobs that will be needed as building retrofits are completed including the introduction of new HVAC and other equipment, offering an innovative Green Building Operator Program. This nine-week program prepares people for entry-level careers in efficient building operations and is offered at no cost. Participants earn four certificates, visit building sites, and receive job placement assistance.
They also run seven different programs, with several focused directly on skilled trades and construction, including Tradelinx, Golden Mile Trades Training, and Women in Construction.
Central Ontario Building Trades trains at-risk youth
Representing 25 trade union affiliates, Central Ontario Building Trades (COBT) covers tens of thousands of workers across the construction industry. In 2009, they launched the Hammer Heads Program, a 12-week skill and employment-based training program for youth from under-resourced neighbourhoods. Participants train with COBT’s affiliate training centres across the GTA, in addition to receiving safety training that exceeds industry requirements and academic upgrading opportunities.
Hammer Heads has seen 755 graduates start registered apprenticeships since completing the program. Training opportunities for participants cover a wide variety of trades, including refrigeration, electrical, insulation, metal working, brick laying, and plumbing. These trades will be in high demand as the market for building retrofits continues to grow.
As evidenced by these and other training programs, the workforce is capable and ready to scale up to meet increased need. With the right policies and supports in place, to allow for long-term planning, funding, and resources, the workforce can be ready. BEPS will grow the building retrofit industry, supporting not just green jobs, but also local economic benefits and better buildings.
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