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Development of a Climate Resiliency Training Program for Building Sector Professionals 

A project to develop and widely deliver the first consolidated Canadian body of training focused on advancing knowledge and skills for the use of climate resiliency measures by buildings sector professionals.

About

The project is designed to enhance the resilience of Canada's built environment to climate change by advancing the knowledge and skills of buildings sector professionals. Through a comprehensive 25-hour multi-mode professional development training program, participants will gain in-depth knowledge of resilient building practices within the Canadian context. This curriculum is developed to provide vital knowledge on best practices, guidance, standards, and the incorporation of case studies, emphasizing the importance of risk assessment and resilient design strategies. The coursework, supported by guidelines from federal, provincial, local authorities, and technical societies, ensures practical relevance for real-world applications. Delivered online, the training program combines live sessions, self-guided readings, videos, and interactive activities, specially designed for engineers, architects, building scientists, planners, policymakers, and procurement professionals working with larger, more complex buildings.

This project is funded by NRCan's Climate Change Adaptation Program and represents a key collaboration between the Climate Risk Institute (CRI) and Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC). By being part of the Infrastructure Resilience Professional (IRP) credential suite offered in partnership with CRI, this initiative not only aims to prepare professionals with cutting-edge knowledge for informed decision-making but also to establish the first consolidated Canadian training framework focusing on climate resilience in the buildings sector. This collaboration seeks to create a substantial impact by cultivating a workforce that is well-equipped to contribute to the sustainable and resilient development of Canada's infrastructure.

Objectives

The objective of this project is to develop and widely deliver the first consolidated Canadian body of training focused on advancing knowledge and skills for the use of climate resiliency measures by buildings sector professionals.

Leadership

The leadership for the project advancing the resilience of Canada's built environment to climate change is a collaborative effort involving key figures from Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) and the Climate Risk Institute (CRI), coupled with comprehensive input from a diverse array of committees and experts.

From EGBC:

  • Harshan Radhakrishnan, serving as the Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives, plays a pivotal role in project management.
  • Virginie Brunetaud, the Climate Strategist at EGBC, also takes on project management roles.

From CRI:

  • Paul Cobb, the Manager of Training Services, leads the development and facilitates the delivery of the climate resilience training program.
  • Jazmin Vargas Najera, a Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Analyst, is key in leading the course development alongside facilitating its delivery.
  • Santinah Green-Mignacca, specializing as a Buildings, Engineering, and Infrastructure Resilience Analyst, focuses on leading course development that strengthens infrastructure resilience.

The project's governance and decision-making processes are buttressed by a Project Steering Committee (PSC), a Technical Committee (TC), and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The PSC, constituted by members from various governance levels and possessing backgrounds in policy, climate adaptation, and public sector procurement, provides oversight and practical direction. The TC, formed by climate and resilience specialists, ensures the technical accuracy and relevance of the course content. Finally, the SMEs, identified for their expertise in resilient building policies and practices, are instrumental in developing the training program's robust and applicable content.


CanaAdapt is brought to you by the Climate Risk Institute, the Resilience By Design Lab
and Natural Resources Canada.