Industry Training Opportunities

Updated on February 11, 2026

Industry Training Opportunities

The Regional District of Nanaimo offers industry training events to help builders, designers, realtors, inspectors, and owner-builders advance toward high-performance buildings. These sessions provide practical, expert‑led guidance on building energy‑efficient homes and show how modern building science and collaborative design can boost performance without increasing costs.

This page is updated regularly—please check back often for details on upcoming training opportunities. Past event materials and resources will be posted below when available. 

Upcoming Education Events

Airtight On-Budget
Part 1: Fundamentals of Air Sealing

When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5:30 –8 p.m.

Where: Vancouver Island University — Building 108: Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre, Room 105

Cost: No charge (registration required via Eventbrite)

CPD Points: 2 CPD points

Delivered by BCIT instructors, this hands‑on workshop introduces air sealing fundamentals and the importance of a continuous air barrier for meeting BC Energy Step Code requirements. The session includes live demonstrations using construction mock‑ups to show key junctions, common leakage points, proven air sealing details, and the value of mid‑construction blower door testing. By the end, attendees will understand core air‑barrier components, typical residential leakage locations, and how coordinated planning and execution support energy efficiency, comfort, and Step Code compliance.

The Regional District of Nanaimo and the Community Energy Association will open the session with local building industry updates. 

Register Here

Airtight On-Budget
Part 2: Hands-On Air Sealing Strategies

When: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Where: Nanaimo Golf Club

Cost: Session included in event cost through CHBA-VI. Registration required (link coming soon). 

CPD Points: Pending approval from BC Housing

Held as part of a larger CHBA-VI industry training event, this advanced session builds on the Fundamentals of Air Sealing covered in Part 1 with real‑world air‑sealing strategies and practical, on‑site techniques for achieving reliable, cost‑effective airtightness. Learning from BCIT instructors, participants will work directly with mock‑ups to apply air‑sealing materials, practice detailing at common junctions, and compare approaches for meeting higher Step Code performance targets while staying on budget.

Registration for this event will be through the Canadian Home Builders' Association - Vancouver Island (CHBA-VI). The link will be shared here when available. 

Build Better Homes on Budget with Integrated Design Process (IDP)

When: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 8–10 a.m. (PT) 

Where: Online via Zoom Webinar (link provided upon registration)

Cost: No charge (registration required through Eventbrite)

CPD Points: 2 CPD points

What is IDP, and how can it help you avoid costly surprises on your next build? 

This session introduces the Integrated Design Process (IDP) as a practical way for builders, trades, designers, owner‑builders, and energy advisors to collaborate early and deliver higher‑performing, lower‑risk homes. Participants will learn how early involvement of an energy advisor through modelling, mid‑construction checks and final testing supports clearer decisions, can reduce costly changes and help projects meet Step Code and emissions goals. The session highlights specific points in a project where better communication and planning can protect your schedule and budget for delivering homes that perform as promised.

Register Here

These sessions are brought to you by the Regional District of Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Community Energy Association, in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Vancouver Island University (VIU). 

For more information or if you have any questions, email sustainability [at] rdn.bc.ca

 

Additional Education Opportunities

For Builders

Continuing Professional Development Points

Formal Post Secondary Programs 

  • BCIT – Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings Learning Centre  
    • Supports the construction industry with transitioning to the BC Zero Carbon Step Code and Energy Step Code. Providing a full suite of Net Zero Energy and Zero Emissions Construction courses that are short and hands-on at the Burnaby Campus High-Performance Building Lab, and numerous interactive online courses. 
  • Designed for builders, designers and energy modellers. Delivered by Builders/Designers and professionals working in the industry. 
  • Camoson College (with PassiveHouse Canada) offers an online microcredential in the evening for Construction of Energy Efficient Buildings. 

Local Government Education Programs

  • Township of Langley: hosts events to help builders, realtors, inspectors, and the public transition towards a world of high-performance buildings through workshops and expert presentations. 
  • District of Saanich: offers occasional webinars on specific topics.  
  • RDN: Maintains Green Building Series Guidebook, example projects and hosts public-oriented webinars and seminars on renovation and high-performance building. 

Free Training

The Low Carbon Training Program for Construction Professionals introduces low-carbon building core concepts and their application to construction. The course will equip construction professionals with operation skills and knowledge to retrofit and build the low-carbon buildings. The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) will offer the program online starting in November 2023 through its partner associations in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. 

Other Useful Resources

  • Passive House Accelerator: live online events and an extensive Youtube Archive  
  • BC Green Building Calendar: Calendar of events and training related to green building subject matter, including emissions, energy efficiency, resiliency, high-performance design, and more. 
  • Weekly topics ranging from Passive House 101 series to building material/component spotlights. Focus is on Passive House construction, but many topics are relevant to high performance building overall. Welcoming group of builders/designers from across North America.  

Offerings for Other Professionals

For Engineers 

Building Skills for Climate Change: Low Carbon Buildings Training- Climate Risk Institute and Canadian Green Building Council 
Part of the Canada Green Building Council’s (CAGBC) Building Skills for Climate Change: Low-Carbon Training Program funded by the Government of Canada. A specialized low-carbon buildings training course for engineers and other practitioners in the building workforce. With the objective of increasing knowledge and awareness of low-carbon building concepts, this specialized training course will equip engineering professionals with collaborative decision-making, design, construction and operation skills and knowledge to retrofit and build the low-carbon buildings needed for a climate-safe future.  

For Building Operators 

Pathway to Net Zero: Decarbonization for Building Operators explores the foundations of low-carbon building operations, including understanding building performance, decarbonization concepts and strategies, the role of building operators in implementation, and relevant case studies. This course will be available online in January 2024 through the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada. 

For HVAC Installers

Thermal Environmental Comfort Association  

TECA's Updated Quality First™ Forced Air Guidelines course includes basic Heat Loss Heat Gain theory, appliance selection, duct layout and sizing. Appliance selection is done using a printout of "Results Pages" from an example calculated by Teca's new heat loss, heat gain software. The course covers requirements for furnaces, A/C coils, and heat pumps including a new appliance selection sheet for variable capacity Heat Pumps without auxiliary heat. Successful participants of the 16-hour course receive a registered number on a certificate and wallet card. 

28 CPD points from BC Housing 

Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) 

Offers several training courses for and by HVAC professionals, with a focus on accurate sizing and installation approaches that help minimize call-backs and deliver customer satisfaction. 

Other Educational Partners Â