The Best Energy Management Training Resources in Canada

Keeping up with the latest energy management tools, skills, and thinking can be challenging. However, staying current and competitive in this field is essential. In this article, we will explore some of the best energy management training resources available with a focus on Canada. These resources include free online courses, instructor-led training materials, and hands-on software instruction.

Up-to-date energy and energy management training for your organization

Find tools, resources and information to help bring yourself – and your organization – up to speed on skills, knowledge, tools and thinking related to energy management. Help your team train to become more aware of the latest technologies and be able to complete projects to help improve organizations performance.

Energy Management Training Primer

If you are new to energy management, we recommend starting with the Energy Management Training Primer developed by Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Buildings and Industry Division. This resource provides an overview of energy management training, including its benefits and challenges, and offers tips for developing a training program for your organization.

National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2017 Training

For those looking to apply, the process is simple, the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2017, free online training courses and videos are available in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Store. These resources have been collaboratively developed by NRCan, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and CSA Group to help contractors, designers, and building officials implement the NECB 2017 and increase the health and energy efficiency of buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.

Instructor-led Training Materials

In addition to free online courses and training schedule, Natural Resources Canada and the National Research Council provide free, instructor-led training materials for both the NECB 2017 and NECB 2020 areas. These materials are designed for instructors teaching building energy codes and students studying to become building officials, contractors, designers, technologists, or engineers.

Hands-on Software Instruction

If you're interested in hands-on software instruction, consider taking the free training course on NECB 2017 Compliance Modeling for Part 3 Buildings offered by Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) department. This self-paced online course teaches you how to manage and perform NECB 2017 Compliance Modeling for Part 3 Buildings in Canada using the IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) software.

Other Canadian Training and Resources

Other Canadian training and resources include:

• The Alliance of Canada Building Officials' Association (ACBOA), offers the National Certification Program for Professional Building Officials, allowing building officials to be officially certified as proud, competent and qualified professionals.
• Benchmarking training resources are also available through NRCan's free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager building energy benchmarking tools, information sessions, presentations, and training webinars.
• The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) School of Construction and the Environment
• The Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada)
• The Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET)
• The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Training Courses
• Centennial College – Centennial Energy Institute
• Douglas College
• The Educational Program Innovations Centre (EPIC)
• The Saskatchewan Environmental Society
• Seneca College
• Southeast Regional College

Have you been wondering what is a certified energy manager?

A Certified Energy Manager (CEM) is a professional who has demonstrated the knowledge and experience necessary to optimize energy performance in buildings, industrial and commercial facilities, and government operations. The certification is offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers a range of energy-related topics, including energy auditing, financial analysis, and energy management strategies.

If you've been asking yourself, "How do I become an NRCan registered energy advisor?"

To become a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Registered Energy Advisor, an individual must complete a training program accredited by NRCan, pass a written exam, and demonstrate proficiency in conducting energy assessments. The training program includes classroom and field training on building science, energy efficiency, and the use of energy modelling software. After passing the exam, the candidate must complete a probationary period, during which they must demonstrate their proficiency in conducting energy assessments before being fully registered.

Conclusion:

Whether you are new to energy management or looking to upskill your team, these resources offer a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to help you stay current and competitive. To learn or research more about building automation and building management systems, follow the link to our website or read our latest page on A Beginner's Guide to BMS Controls: Understanding the Basics.