John Mava was searching for a job when he noticed a construction project happening behind his house. Curious, he checked it out and realized that construction methods in Canada are very different from what he knew in Nigeria.
“I thought it would be great to learn about this,” Mava said. In Canada, construction often uses timber and emphasizes environmentally friendly practices.
This experience led Mava to the YMCA’s Power of Trades program, where he became one of the first hires at Build, a new social enterprise by EnviroCentre. The aim of Build is to tackle two major problems: the urgent need for retrofitting Canadian homes to fight climate change and the shortage of skilled workers.
Buildings account for a significant portion of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, as highlighted in a recent government report. The Canadian Climate Institute noted that “Canada’s climate progress has been modest and is at risk of going in the wrong direction.” To address this, Melanie Johnston, a director at EnviroCentre, stated, “We are seeing drastic reductions in GHG emissions by providing building envelope upgrades.”
Build’s mission is to offer training in skills like insulation installation and air sealing to those often excluded from the industry—women, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers, like Mava.
Retrofitting improves a building’s energy efficiency. This can involve simple tasks like caulking or major updates to heating systems. Beyond helping the environment, these upgrades can save money and improve indoor air quality. Johnston pointed out that better homes could lead to fewer asthma attacks and less time missed from work or school.
According to the Pembina Institute, Canada needs to retrofit about 600,000 homes each year to reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Many homes still need upgrades, especially since 80% of the buildings expected to exist in 2050 have already been built.
Build has been busy preparing for its launch in September. Mava and his colleague Allan Kanobana have been learning safety skills and getting their training warehouse ready. They will practice practical tasks like insulation and drywall installation.
Kanobana, who moved to Canada from Rwanda in 2024 for better opportunities for his children, is also excited about this new learning experience. “It’s very interesting to see how building practices here differ from my own country,” he shared.
The YMCA and other organizations help recruit newcomers for Build, addressing a common barrier: a lack of Canadian work experience. Katie Sexton, a vice president at the YMCA, noted that the Power of Trades program has an impressive 84% employment rate after training.
There has been a growing demand for skilled workers in Canada’s construction sector, with vacancies increasing by an average of 11% per year since 2017. A report by Statistics Canada suggests that over 245,000 construction workers are expected to retire by 2032, creating a shortfall of more than 61,400 workers.
To tackle these challenges, Johnston mentioned the goal of Build is not just training but also creating a welcoming and positive space for its mentees. There’s a broader initiative to help employers reduce outdated practices that may make the work environment unwelcoming.
Looking ahead, Build plans to expand its training program and retrofit many homes in Ottawa, especially those in the affordable housing sector.
Mava emphasized the importance of this work for future generations. He recalled meeting a homeowner during a project who was motivated to retrofit for his grandchildren. Mava said, “I want to be able to tell my kids, ‘Yes, this is my contribution to fighting climate change.’ We will reduce emissions, and the kids will be happy in the future.”
For more insights on tackling climate change through retrofitting, you can check out this government report.
