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CaGBC calls for zero-carbon retrofit and construction training

January 31, 2019 – The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) says a skills gap in zero-carbon building construction represents $24.3 billion in lost gross domestic product (GDP) in Ontario alone and must be addressed to meet the nation’s climate change goals.

January 31, 2019  By  Peter Saunders



In a new report, the organization puts forth an ‘action plan’ to close the gap, recommending new types of training, incentives and processes to help the trades workforce both retrofit existing and construct new buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Specifically, the report calls for tradespeople to be trained to:

  • build more efficient building envelopes, including framing, insulation, windows and glazing.
  • install advanced mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning.
  • maintain energy-efficient furnaces, boilers, water heaters, solar panels and geoexchange systems.

As such, the report—which focuses on Ontario, but can be applied throughout Canada—suggests a new certificate for low-carbon skills and calls on governments to create supportive public policies and incentivize education and training programs for workers at all career stages.

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