PROJECT REPORT 2023/2024 GREEN SKILLS ACADEMY
ABOUT RELAY
Relay Education delivers environmental education and training programs about renewable energy, conservation, climate change and green careers in classrooms and communities across the world. We’re creating change for a better future.
Helping the next generation become green leaders.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The Green Skills Academy equipped participants with the skills required for employment in sectors such as wind energy, solar energy, sustainable agriculture, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for renewables. We are enabling Canada to take big steps on climate change by supporting these industries. The impact of this program aligns with Canada’s economic and climate priorities, targeting key sectors and jobs essential for the low-carbon economy. This report shows how targeted training initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and resilient workforce for the green economy.
The path to a low-carbon economy in Canada requires a workforce with skills that can support this journey. The Green Skills Academy was designed in response to the urgent need for skilled workers in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The program helps workers upgrade or gain new skills essential for jobs in low-carbon industries. The program achieved this by engaging community members, supporting participants' logistics and administration, offering free training across the country, and providing wrap-around support for participants.
The Clean Tech Training for Urban and Indigenous Community Members program, project number 18734533, uses the operational name of Green Skills Academy, which is how the program is referred to in this report.
Photo credit: Ryan Mennie/LC Extention
Participants 971 54 171 above target
The Green Skills Academy was a tremendous success. All four courses engaged hundreds of Canadians to strengthen their capacity to take part in the low-carbon economy. The program surpassed the target of 800 participants with a total of 971 participants. The participants were from
all corners of the country and the majority belonged to one or more equity-deserving groups.
This program has helped to maximize geographic coverage across Canada to ensure equitable access to opportunities for all Canadians. The Green Skills Academy had participants from every territory and province in Canada.
Cohorts
14 over target
“The work is more than just building a greenhouse and infrastructure. It's about a relationship that Relay Education has built with us. You've strengthened our capacity. Relay Education has made this a reality, but you've also given us space to be autonomous.” -Kanekatatie (Amanda Dale), Bear Waters Gathering Cofounder
Photo credit: Ryan Mennie/LC Extention
EQUITY
OUTCOMES
Project total of 971 participants.
The Green Skills Academy is committed to ensuring equity in participation for all Canadians, so everyone has fair opportunities in Canada’s low-carbon economy. We prioritize participation from members of equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous peoples, women, newcomers, Black Canadians, 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians, Canadians with disabilities, and other racialized communities or visible minorities. We aim to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the country and is prepared to be a part of tomorrow's economy.
Equity Groups
Target
Total
Women
400
424
Indigenous
250
260
Black Canadians
150
109
Newcomers
120
93
Other racialized communities and visible minorities
/
188
Gender Diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+
/
115
Persons with disabilities
/
54
SOLAR PROJECTS There are five permanent solar PV projects built as part of the program.
Example projects include:
Bear Waters Gathering Project: 3.6KW PV off-grid system. Built to provide electricity to a geodesic growing dome and greenhouses. Toronto Black Farmers Project: 2.2KW PV off-grid system. Built to provide electricity to part of the farm, supporting food production for under-served and low- income people.
The Solar Installation course was created to train people on the fundamentals of rooftop solar energy systems. Participants learned the basics of electricity and solar energy, participated in hands-on installations of solar systems, and received industry recognized workplace safety certificates from third party professionals. There were 291 participants in 21 cohorts in the Solar Installation course. SOLAR INSTALLATION
23%
Women
37%
Indigenous
13%
Black Canadians
10%
Newcomers
The Sustainable Agriculture course trains people in sustainable agriculture and farming practices. The program helped participants support food security projects and promote local economic development. This program has helped them overcome challenges to food sovereignty. The Sustainable Agriculture course had 313 participants over 11 cohorts. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
42%
63%
Women
Indigenous
12%
2%
Black Canadians
Newcomers
GARDEN BUILDS
Five 25'+ geodesic garden domes.
Capital equipment upgrades to four indoor vertical farms.
Six greenhouses/ hoophouses.
Photo credit: Ryan Mennie/LC Extention
The Wind Energy Operations course gives participants vital skills and knowledge in safety training for wind turbines, blade repairs, and wind farms. Participants gained hands-on experience working with wind turbine components and explored various career paths available in the wind energy industry. The Wind Energy Operations course had 130 participants in 12 cohorts. WIND ENERGY OPERATIONS
12%
18%
Women
Indigenous
19%
10%
Black Canadians
Newcomers
“This summer I had an irreplaceable experience in the wind power industry thanks to Relay Education. Completing the training at Holland College allowed me to gain valuable certifications for a future career.” - Megan MacDonald, Holland College Cohort 1 Participant
GIS MAPPING FOR SOLAR
The GIS Mapping for Solar program is a 12-week virtual course. It covers key concepts and techniques to tackle energy transition challenges. The course covers the decisions that can improve the benefits of solar energy developments and mitigate their impact on local communities. Participants have applied the GIS software knowledge to real-world solar scenarios. The GIS Solar for Mapping course had 237 participants in 10 cohorts.
57%
2%
8%
14%
Women
Indigenous
Black Canadians
Newcomers
“The GIS Mapping for Solar Course taught me how GIS tools could be applied to solar energy projects and the theory behind it. Very helpful!" -Rizwan Shahid, GIS Mapping for Solar Cohort 1 Participant
“I'm an instructor in GIS, mapping and remote sensing. This fall I went into the classroom and was much more confident in using the software. I have better examples of how we can do overlay analysis that have real world applications." -Pamela MacQuarrie, GIS Mapping for Solar Cohort 3 Participant
Photo credit: Ryan Mennie/LC Extention
PROGRAM IMPACT
The Green Skills Academy focused on empowering Canadians through free education and training to contribute to the growing low-carbon economy in Canada. The program aimed to address the need for a skilled workforce by equipping participants with the necessary skills for employment in wind, solar, sustainable agriculture, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In 15 months, the Green Skills Academy trained 971 participants across 54 cohorts, drawing individuals from every province/territory.
The Green Skills Academy left a lasting impression on the program participants and the partners we worked with. This has been shown through the numerous inquiries received about the status of future cohorts, as well as partners who wish to work with Relay again in the future. This program was made possible in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
The program hosted participants from every province and territory in Canada. In-person trainings occurred in 30 different locations in five provinces and Nunavut.
192 Spadina Ave, Suite 429 Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
info@relayeducation.com www.relayeducation.com
Registered Charitable Number: 83703 5468 RR0001
The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.
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