The Opportunity

Transition towards a green economy and create jobs.

As governments look to stimulate economic recovery, Ontario can simultaneously make significant progress on climate action. Building retrofits and new low-carbon construction can play a critical role by getting people to work and helping to reduce Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The time is now to invest in upskilling the current workforce as well as attracting more people to work in the sector. A low-carbon recovery agenda can accelerate our transition towards a green and inclusive economy and create jobs for a stronger Ontario.

This is the critical decade for climate action.

As Canada transitions toward a low-carbon future, the building sector will be at the forefront of change. To accelerate this, we need to strengthen the capacity of the existing workforce and attract more people to work in the sector.

2030

Canada’s deadline to reduce GHG emissions by 30% below 2005 levels

30%

The amount of GHG emissions that come from Canada’s buildings, including materials, construction and operations

600,000+

The number of direct green building jobs that could be created by 2030 in Ontario with government stimulus towards building to low-carbon standards

The Coalition

To accelerate workforce capacity, the building sector must come together in unprecedented collaboration.

Workforce 2030 is a broad cross-sectoral coalition of employers, educators, practitioners across the construction ecosystem working to collectively impact government policy, business practice and education.

Workforce 2030 is fast-tracking the workforce needed to build a low-carbon Ontario by addressing:

Skills Development

Canada’s deadline to reduce GHG emissions by 30% below 2005 levels

Talent Recruitment

The amount of GHG emissions that come from Canada’s buildings, including materials, construction and operations

Workplace Innovations

The number of direct green building jobs that could be created by 2030 in Ontario with government stimulus towards building to low-carbon standards

Working Groups

Coalition participants collaborate to advance shared priorities via working groups:

Workforce 2030 is a broad cross-sectoral coalition of employers, educators, practitioners across the construction ecosystem working to collectively impact government policy, business practice and education.

Mobilize across government, business and education in support of low-carbon workforce development

Green Recovery Stimulus:
Advocating for Workforce Capacity Investments

Workforce Capacity for Tall Timber Residential New Construction

Synthesize the low-carbon skills, competencies, jobs and training pathways for the sector

Low-carbon Workforce Readiness:
In-depth skills gaps assessment and industry co-developed action plan

Demonstrate and amplify capacity-building best practice and resources, foster communities of practice

Equitable and Inclusive Recruitment and Training

Workforce Capacity for Retrofits

Foundational Partners

Coalition Participants

Funders

Thank you to The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) and Catherine Donnelly Foundation for support of Workforce 2030, and to the Future Skills Centre, with funding from the Government of Canada under the Future Skills program, for support of the Rapid Upskilling for Green Building program.

Secretariat

The Canada Green Building Council acts as secretariat and provides backend support and services.

Resource Centre

Trading Up: Equipping Ontario Trades with the Skills of the Future

Canada Green Building Council Report

Energy Efficiency Training Programs

Database curated by Efficiency Canada

Building Infrastructure, Building Talent: A Generation of Jobs

Toronto Region Board of Trade forecast of the region’s labour market needs for the construction sector.

Breaking Barriers for Women in STEM: Why Workplace Culture must shift to change the gender landscape

OPSE report