Capacity Building

Empowering Atlantic Canada's Retrofit Workforce

Why Capacity Building?

The deep retrofit industry faces a critical labour and skill training shortage. Not to mention a lack of understanding how to enter the deep-retrofit industry.

We’re investing in people—through training, resources, and community partnerships—to accelerate sustainable building upgrades across the region.

Our Approach
We’re tackling the labour gap and supporting industry transformation with practical, community-driven solutions.

Labour Market Research & Workforce Development

Analyze Atlantic Canada’s retrofit labour market
Highlight barriers and opportunities for underrepresented groups
Build training programs for professional retrofit navigators
Pilot and refine training with ongoing feedback
Co-develop culturally appropriate training for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities

Innovative Toolkits (Tools & Resources)

Develop user-friendly toolkits to help building owners, architects, and regulators make data-driven decisions
Launch an online platform for building performance and cost analysis
Create a reference database with regional construction and energy data

Community-Focused Community Collaboration

Partner with Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, and equity-deserving organizations
Provide job shadowing, technical skills training, and mentorship
Identify buildings and owners for Atlantic Canada retrofit case studies

Sharing Resources

Share project updates, resources, and stories
Foster meaningful partnerships and engagement
Encourage broader participation in retrofit programs

Our Partners

We're collaborating with Building to Zero Exchange (BTZx) to support us in driving the transition to net-zero buildings.

Starting with the Action Accelerator Series, BTZx are delivering in-person and virtual roundtables for facilitated discussions and exchanges on key issues relevant to the transition to net zero buildings. Identifying the knowledge gaps in industry are vital to growth and understanding in the deep retrofit space.

The Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq (UNSM) and ReCover will collaborate to support capacity building for deep retrofits in five Mi’kmaq communities (Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook, and We’koqma’q) in Unama’ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia . UNSM is a tribal council provides a unified political voice for the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia.

One North End will lead efforts in partnership with ReCover to identify building owners and explore deep retrofit opportunities in buildings that serve African Nova Scotian (ANS) communities. The One North End (ONE) Community Economic Development Society supports vulnerable populations to actively develop career paths and entrepreneurs through collective impact strategies that lead to co-created initiatives.

Become a Partner

Join us on the journey to a sustainable, skilled, and inclusive retrofit future.