Canadians from coast to coast to coast can now access fully funded microcredentials to help to increase skills and competencies and prepare them to meet the needs of Canada’s shifting economy.
Today, the Government of Canada announced it is investing $46.5 million in Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2), a coalition led by Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology focused on developing demand-driven workforce training solutions for a clean economy through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). As a result of this investment, C2R2 has launched Quick Train Canada, offering microcredentials from select accredited institutions across Canada targeted at upgrading skills in crucial sectors targeted at Canada’s low-carbon economy – all at no cost to learners.
“The transition to the new low-carbon economy will demand a well-trained workforce and Canada’s colleges and aligned institutions are well-equipped to develop and deliver the programs to prepare people for those exciting new careers,” said Ron J. McKerlie, President and CEO of Mohawk College, where C2R2’s administration and secretariat are managed. “The Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery coalition has developed Quick Train Canada to provide Canadians with a direct link to thousands of training and research opportunities to help Canadians access good jobs. We are excited to support the transition to the low carbon economy while fostering inclusion, diversity, and equity throughout the process.”
Quick Train Canada provides Canadian workers and employers with options to update skills quickly, increasing job security and participation as Canada’s economy transitions to more sustainable, low-carbon practices.
Whether students are experienced tradespersons upgrading their skills to adapt to evolving green construction techniques, new graduates improving their understanding of sustainable manufacturing, or those planning for future clean-tech or electric vehicle-focused job opportunities, the comprehensive offering of courses provides flexible, targeted upskill opportunities for all Canadians.
“As Canada strives to meet its 2050 net-zero emissions target, there will be significant demand for professionals skilled in green building design, construction and deep-carbon retrofits,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council. “With jobs in the sector poised grow to 1.5 million by 2030, access to training for existing workers or new entrants to the sector is critical. Quick Train Canada can play an important role by making training accessible to more Canadians and help grow the workforce needed for the low-carbon economy.”
The available microcredentials are offered in various formats, including hybrid, in-person, online at your own pace, or online scheduled, allowing learners to participate in courses that best suit their schedule. Over 25 microcredentials are available for Canadians to register, with additional ones added regularly. More courses will be added in Spring/Summer 2023 and further for next fall and into winter 2024.
With courses across Agriculture and Agri-food, Indigenous Engagement, Transportation, Construction, Clean Tech, and Natural Resources and Environment, Canadians can prepare for the jobs of tomorrow at Canada’s Colleges today.
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Fully-funded microcredentials available from BCIT
BCIT is one of the largest post-secondary institutes in British Columbia. Every year, nearly 50,000 students choose to study at BCIT, setting them on an exciting path for the career they want. Here are some full-funded microcredentials available from BCIT.
Introductory Studies in Mass Timber Construction – You will come away with a broad understanding of mass timber, an appreciation for and interest in applying existing expertise, and the ability to leverage what you have learned in this microcredential to apply to the next level of BCIT programs that go deeper into mass timber skills and knowledge – for example, the Associate Certificate in the Construction of Mass Timber Structures.
Building Energy Modelling and Simulation Fundamentals – You’ll receive knowledge on how to build an energy model and run a simulation up to current industry standards. As well, learn how to obtain model inputs that appropriately represent the building design at various stages of the building design process. From those inputs, you will build an energy model from scratch, run an annual simulation, and analyze the results. With your model, you will also perform an energy efficiency and greenhouse (GHG) gas reduction study. Finally, you will present your analysis and results to your “client” in a report.
Electric Vehicle Technology and Service – You will gain critical training in electric vehicle technology. This microcredential is broken into eight modules. The first three modules are self-paced online and are expected to be completed in advance of the course’s five-day face-to-face, hands-on portion. The first module covers safety and PPE, which will be reviewed on the first day of in-person training. Modules four through eight are designed to cover extensive hands-on practical exercises, including; high-voltage battery removal in both a hybrid and a complete electric vehicle, lithium-ion battery pack disassembly and testing, high-voltage motor testing, DTC diagnosis on several brands of electric vehicles, testing and bleeding high-voltage cooling systems, and identifying regenerative braking systems.
Drone Applications for Environmental Risk Assessment – You’ll be guided through Transport Canada regulations pertaining to the safe and legal operation of small remotely piloted aircraft systems (sRPAS). Next, there is a thorough discussion of elements related to conducting a site survey and mission planning. This is followed by an overview of structure-from-motion (SfM)-based photogrammetry image processing techniques using color, multi-spectral, and thermal drone images. The microcredential ends with practical examples of NDVI, radiometric thermal orthomosaics, and multi-spectral GIS analysis.
Additional fully-funded microcredentials include:
- Advanced Building Performance Simulation
- Applied Internet of Things (IoT)
- Accor Aircraft Structures Quality Inspection
- Building Circularity – Deconstruction Management
- Building Circularity – Design for Disassembly
- Building Circularity – Construction Material Flows
- Fibre Optics: Installation, Principles and Repair
- High Performance Building Design-Project Course
- Wind Turbine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
About Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2)
Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) is a coalition of 14 highly aligned colleges, cégeps, institutes, and polytechnics across Canada with an established commitment to sustainability. The coalition members have come together as a driving force, providing the skills required to transition to a clean economy in Canada. They are positioned to support workforce upskilling and bridge the skills gap across Canada. C2R2’s administration and secretariat are through Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.
For more information and a complete list of available courses, visit quicktraincanada.ca or voierapidecanada.ca