The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has introduced a micro-credential program that covers the basics of net-zero and Passive House construction.
A tightly focused rapid training program, Essentials of Net-Zero and Passive House Construction is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of how to construct high-performance buildings that meet the standards of the BC Energy Step Code, net-zero energy and Passive House.
The micro-credential covers what is needed to understand building enclosures, electrical and mechanical systems.
It consists of four required courses and one optional course.
The required courses are:
- Fundamentals of zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings;
- airtightness and low-TEDI (Thermal Energy Demand Intensity) enclosures of zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings;
- introduction to residential mechanical systems for zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings; and
- introduction to solar photovoltaic and electrical systems for zero energy and Passive House homes.
The optional course is airtightness and low-TEDI enclosures lab for zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings.
Micro-credentials are a relatively new educational concept.
They recognize standalone, short-duration learning experiences that are competency-based, align with industry, employer and community and Indigenous needs and can be assessed and recognized for employment purposes.
Because they are relatively brief, flexible in delivery and focused on content, micro-credentials are easily accessible by non-traditional and marginalized learners.
Essentials of Net-Zero and Passive House Construction is being offered by BCIT’s Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings Learning Centre.
In 2022, the ZEB Learning Centre launched two other micro-credentials: Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction and Whole-Building Life Cycle Assessment Professional.
“Almost all of the students have worked in construction,” said Alexandre Hebert, manager in charge of the ZEB Learning Centre. “They’re not new to the field.”
Many of the courses are online, others are live and broadcast from BCIT and students can take part from their computers.
They can also come into the learning centre and do a lab.
“Some of the courses, such as site supervisor, have an industry project requirement that must be completed onsite,” said Hebert.
The micro-credentials are proving to be very popular.
“Launching a new program is usually hard,” said Hebert. “It can be slow going at first and we haven’t been spending a lot to promote the micro-credentials, just social media and word of mouth. But enrolment in each of the micro-credentials has been very strong.
“With all the climate change-related updates to building regulations, our micro-credentials are going to be busy for years.”
Eric Fry, associate dean of BCIT’s Agile and Work Integrated Learning, says micro-credentials bridge the skills gap by helping learners quickly master new skills and gain knowledge essential in Canadian industries.
“Micro-credentials are a response to changing industry and community needs,” said Fry.
There’s been a shift in what employers want from their employees, he says. They no longer want people with a general-knowledge education who they can train for a job and who they know will stay with them for life, or at least a long time.
“Today more employers want people with competency-based training and who they expect will be with them for a shorter time,” said Fry. “’What can you do for me now?’ ‘What are your competencies?’ is what employers want to know.”
Although micro-credentials won’t replace full-time programs, they are important for those learners who don’t do well in traditional education.
“Micro-credentials assess the application of knowledge, not the knowledge itself,” said Fry.
BCIT has had micro-credentials for two years and has just issued its 1,000th credential.
It offers micro-credentials in a number of different disciplines. In addition to trades and apprenticeship, under which the net-zero and Passive House micro-credentials fall, it covers applied sciences, business and media, computing and information technology, general studies and health sciences.
Carol Martina, manager of BCIT High School Partnerships, says there are micro-credentials for high school students who are interested in the fields of architecture, construction and engineering (ACE) and who want to find out more about them with an eye to possibly making a career in them.
“The purpose of the ACE micro-credential is to provide motivated students with a foundation of skills and knowledge that are valuable in the ACE sectors,” said Martina. “In fact, industry partners from ACE helped us assemble this micro-credential for that very purpose.”
Micro-credentials have the support of the B.C. government. In 2021, it established what it calls a micro-credential framework “to provide guidance and clarity about how micro-credentials fit within the current post-secondary system.”
It is hoped the government framework will promote communication between industry and post-secondary institutions, to reskill and upskill the workforce of the future and to encourage the coordinated development of micro-credentials in the B.C. public post-secondary system.
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