An Ottawa social enterprise is training immigrant workers to retrofit homes, addressing two urgent problems at once. Canada needs thousands of building retrofits to reduce emissions, but faces a shortage of skilled construction workers. The program recruits newcomers like John Mava, who immigrated from Nigeria and discovered that Canadian construction methods differ significantly from those in his home country.
Mava learned that Canadian construction relies on timber rather than brick and prioritizes environmental performance. His interest in the work grew when he realized retrofitting offered both employment and a way to contribute to climate action. "I said it would be great for me to have knowledge about this," Mava said.
The initiative tackles climate change while creating economic opportunity for immigrants. Home retrofits improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling emissions. Building sector emissions account for a substantial portion of Canada's greenhouse gas output. By training newcomers in these skills, the program fills labor gaps while welcoming people into the workforce. Immigrants bring diverse construction knowledge from their home countries, enriching Canada's building sector. The model demonstrates how climate solutions and immigration can reinforce each other rather than compete for resources.