The 2024 EEMP program begins this Fall. Apply now!
Do you live or work in BC and have an interest in training on energy-efficient housing?
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program (EEMP)! It’s a good fit for Indigenous building specialists ready to extend their skills and a good grounding for participants who are newer to the housing field.
Bonus! There’s an opportunity for communities to benefit from the program by booking their own Energy Efficiency 101 Workshop. See how to book a workshop!
Photo: BCIT
Overview of EEMP
EEMP program participants attended a three-day workshop at BCIT in October 2023 following a series of virtual training sessions. Photo: Darell Gaddie, FBC
The 2024 Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program (EEMP): Building Indigenous Capacity for Energy-Efficient Housing is now open for applications. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!
This year’s program will bring together a new peer group of 8 Indigenous trainees who have some experience in buildings/construction but want to build their skills and knowledge on energy-efficient homes and buildings within Indigenous communities.
After completing an online and in-person training program, the trainees will go on to deliver introductory workshops about energy efficiency solutions and practices, for both new construction and existing homes, to First Nations communities in their regions. For this part of the program, each trainee will be paired up with an Indigenous building professional (mentor) to co-deliver two in-person community workshops on energy efficiency, tailored to the climate and other needs of their region.
Don't yet have experience? There are also 12 spots available in the online program for entry-level trainees who are new to the housing field!
The Fraser Basin Council and housing consultant Richard Hall of Nuxalk Nation are offering the Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program at no cost, in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Both the peer group of 8 experienced trainees and 12 entry-level trainees will attend 6 virtual Zoom training sessions: October 2024 to March, 2025
The peer group of 8 experienced trainees will also:
shadow and assist an Indigenous Professional from the previous EEMP cohort with delivering one to two in-community workshops within their regions: October 2024 to March 2025
attend a three-day in-person workshop at BCIT: April 2025
deliver two in-community workshops within their regions, paired up with a newly trained Indigenous Building Professional: April 2025 - June 2026
Program participants take part in the program at no cost thanks to EEMP program funders.
Trainers with 2023 EEMP program participants at BCIT workshop session. Photo: BCIT
The EEMP training program includes six online training sessions and a three-day in-person workshop, instructed by BCIT, AHMA and Richard Hall.
The EEMP online training sessions (for both experienced and entry-level participants) cover:
Introduction to Community Energy Management
Introduction to Zero Energy Buildings
Resilient and Affordable Building Design
House As a System
Managing Renovations (Retrofits 101)
Building Conditions Assessment
The BCIT in-person workshop (for experienced trainees) covers:
Zero Energy Buildings
Building Condition Assessments
Final Preparation for In-Community Training and “Energy Efficiency 101” training material
Delivery of Community Workshops
In addition to completing the EEMP training program, program participants will help to deliver introductory workshops about energy efficiency solutions and practices, for both new construction and existing homes, for First Nations communities in their regions.
A great opportunity for program participants and communities!
The Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program is available to approved applicants at no cost.
Experienced Trainees
An experienced trainee participating in the full program is eligible to receive the following:
A training allowance of $850, paid to the trainee on completion of the online and three-day in-person training program
A fee of $750 to shadow and assist an Indigenous Building Professional at one to two introductory workshops
A fee of $1,250 to deliver each of the two introductory workshops to First Nations communities in their regions (total of $2,500)
Reimbursement of travel expenses, including transportation, accommodation and meals required for the in-person training course in Vancouver, and for travel expenses related to the introductory community workshops
Entry-Level Trainees
An entry-level trainee is eligible to receive:
a $500 learning stipend on completion of the online training program
Richard Hall of Nuxalk Nation has 35 years of experience in Indigenous housing as a Red Seal carpenter / builder, a capital project and housing manager, a housing consultant and building inspector.
Richard is now designing affordable, sustainable and energy-efficient homes that complement the climates of British Columbia’s west coast and that suit the cultural lifestyles of First Peoples.
Would Your Community Like an Energy Efficiency 101 Workshop? Now Booking for 2025!
An “Energy Efficiency 101” community workshop at Lake Babine Nation in 2024.
Community workshops on energy efficiency are very popular — and they are delivered to your community at no cost.
The EEMP program can also provide financial support of $1,000 to a community to assist with the cost of putting on the training, including venue hire and catering. Additional funding support is available for local Elders to open in a good way ($250) and for a local photographer ($175).
Workshops are designed for community staff members, encompassing Housing Staff, Asset Managers and Maintenance Crews, and all other interested community members can be encouraged to attend.
To schedule a 2025 community workshop, contact:
Darell Gaddie Program Lead E: | T: 236 888-1298
Words of Appreciation for Community Workshops!
“I highly enjoyed this workshop would recommend it to all First Nations Housing departments. A very excellent workshop and an extremely knowledgeable speaker!”
“The workshop presentation was great and covered useful information.”
“Useful information that was easy to understand and good visuals. Would highly recommend to staff and communities.”
Thanks to program funders Vancity, BC Hydro, FortisBC and the Real Estate Foundation of BC. Thanks also to CleanBC, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association and the BC Institute of Technology for their in-kind support.
