Energy Efficiency Mentorship ProgramThe Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program (EEMP) is helping Indigenous building specialists to extend and deepen their knowledge and skills in energy efficiency. The program is also providing a good grounding for participants who are newer to the housing field.>Interested in the mentorship program? Contact us about the next round of applications to join a new peer cohort.>Interested in having your community host a workshop on energy efficiency? Contact us about booking a workshop for 2025!
Photo: BCIT On This Page
OverviewEEMP program participants attended a three-day workshop at BCIT in October 2023 following a series of virtual training sessions. Photo: Darell Gaddie, FBC The Fraser Basin Council and housing consultant Richard Hall of Nuxalk Nation are delivering the Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program (EEMP): Building Indigenous Capacity for Energy-Efficient Housing. This program is in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The EEMP program is supporting a cohort of eight participants from Indigenous communities who want to develop their capacity, skills and knowledge on energy-efficient homes and buildings. As part of the program, participants also agree to share their knowledge by helping to deliver introductory community workshops on energy efficiency in their respective regions. [top] Program Commitments
Program participants take part in the program at no cost thanks to EEMP program funders. [top] Training ProgramTrainers with 2023 EEMP program participants at BCIT workshop session. Photo: BCIT The EEMP training program includes six virtual training sessions and a three-day in-person workshop, instructed by BCIT, AHMA and Richard Hall. The EEMP virtual training sessions are complete for 2023-2024. The sessions covered:
The BCIT workshop was completed in October. It covered:
[top] Delivery of Community WorkshopsAn “Energy Efficiency 101” community workshop was held at the Skway First Nation near Chilliwack on October 13. A second workshop was held at the Shxw'ōwhámel First Nation near Hope on October 16 – with the EEMP training program participants providing support. In all, 10 workshops are rolling out in 2023-2024. Photo: Braidey Sturgeon In addition to completing the EEMP training program, program participants 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. [top] “I highly enjoyed this workshop would recommend it to all First Nations Housing departments. A very excellent workshop and an extremely knowledgeable speaker!””— Community Workshop ParticipantWould Your Community Like a Workshop?Thanks to strong uptake, workshop spots now booked through 2024.In 2025 10 in-community workshops are available for booking. Bring one to your community!The 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 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 your 2025 community workshop, contact: Darell Gaddie Program Lead [top] About Richard HallRichard 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. [top] Financial SupportThe Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program is available to approved applicants at no cost. Experienced TraineesAn experienced trainee participating in the full program is eligible to receive the following:
Entry-Level TraineesAn entry-level trainee is eligible to receive:
[top] For More InformationIf the EEMP program is of interest or if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Darell Gaddie, MBA, Program Lead T: 236 888–1298 I E: You can also provide contact details for any future program openings via our ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. [top] Program FundersThanks 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. |