COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES CANADA
Green Training Modules for Trades Educators to Support Sustainable Housing Construction

On June 13, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), the national voice of Canada's largest post-secondary education network, released new professional development modules for construction trades instructors. These modules provide carpentry, electrical, landscaping, and HVACR educators with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively integrate climate change awareness, eco-friendly approaches, and Indigenous perspectives into their courses. By training the trainers, the modules will ensure that college and institute students - when they graduate - are ready to address nationwide challenges like housing with sustainable solutions.  

The online modules are open educational resources covering key homebuilding trades. Educators boost their knowledge and instructional techniques by engaging with rich, interactive content about the latest innovations in green building alongside insights into Indigenous environmental practices. With open access, the content can be freely repurposed and integrated into existing courses, enhancing the relevance of educational programs.  

Pari Johnston, President and CEO of CICan, expressed her enthusiasm: "As Canada faces significant housing shortages, these training modules are a timely resource, equipping educators to teach sustainable construction practices and innovative solutions that can accelerate the development of affordable and net-zero housing. By updating curricula to include both climate change solutions and Indigenous perspectives, we are not just teaching trades; we are empowering a generation of professionals who will drive both cultural inclusivity and long-term environmental stewardship in the housing sector.

"Greening the Trades open resource training modules will ensure that colleges and polytechnics have current and consistent resources to support their faculty," said Derek Kochenash, Co-Chair of the National Council of Deans of Apprenticeship, Trades and Technology (NCDATT). "The modules will have a direct impact on students as they will be exposed to new and emerging topics and trends. This is a brilliant collaborative solution that will quickly advance trades programs across Canada!"

The initiative is part of CICan's ImpAct-Climate program, funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, which raises awareness of greenhouse gases and provides CICan members with tools and resources to green campus infrastructure, culture, applied research, and curriculum.  Developed over two years, the training modules were created by trades educators from Selkirk College, Vancouver Island University, Red Deer Polytechnic, Canadore College, Sault College, Conestoga College, Collège Boréal, and La Cité, in consultation with curriculum designers, Indigenous consultants, and subject-matter experts in climate action, and were peer reviewed. 

Educators across Canada are encouraged to integrate the content into their teaching, preparing students for pivotal roles in the green economy and offering fresh perspectives to tackle both current and emerging challenges in the construction trades.

To access the modules, visit: pressbooks.pub/ftmcicanmodules/