Do you want to have a positive impact on the environment while entering a career with high demand? Are you interested in a flexible role where you can use your analytical and interpersonal skills? As an Energy Advisor, you'll evaluate a home’s energy efficiency and make recommendations that can save homeowners money. Plus, you’ll play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Apply- Tuition is fully funded for qualifying learners
- Energy Advisors receive a median wage of $40/hour
- Receive on-the-job work experience
What is a Completion certificate
Ministry-approved teaching and learning activities that provide practical training for rapid entry into frontline jobs but do not culminate in a parchment/credential.
What to expect from the program
Becoming an energy advisor is a rewarding career opportunity. It empowers you to conduct energy audits for homeowners and offer recommendations to save on energy consumption and costly energy bills. In this program, NorQuest will prepare you in your next step towards becoming a certified energy advisor—a career that’s full of possibilities.
Energy advisors are in high demand across Alberta. There’s no better time to step into this industry than now! The job’s unique flexibility allows for part-time work, full-time work, or other working arrangements made with an employer. If you’ve thought about becoming an independent contractor or you’re looking for additional work with flexible hours, this is a career path for you.
Upon completion of the program, youll be prepared to write two certification exams required by Natural Resources Canada: The Energy Advisor Foundation Level Exam and Energy Advisor (House) Exam.
Next intake: February 13 to March 22, 2023
Location: Edmonton
Delivery: In person
Graduate with experience
NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.
You'll attend two in-field files with an experienced energy advisor. During these two days, you will gain experience collecting data from a residential home. You'll have an opportunity to provide upgrade recommendations and energy modelling. Also, you will get to experience homeowner interaction and client communication. You will be scored on your interaction with the homeowner, adherence to Natural Resources Canada protocols, energy modelling, and upgrade recommendations. Completing this on-the-job experience will fulfill one of the core requirements for becoming a certified energy advisor.
In May 2021, the federal government launched the Canada Greener Homes Grant to encourage homeowners to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. With over 180,000 Canadian homeowners applying to receive energy audits in just the first few months (Natural Resources Canada), there are thousands of homeowners in need of assistance. You can be sure there isn’t a shortage of work in this field! Energy advisors work under varying work agreements including employee positions, independent contracts, and dedicated contracts.What to expect as an energy advisor
The work of an energy advisor can be extremely meaningful. With a mix of working in both the office and residential homes, energy advisors get to connect directly with homeowners to provide energy-efficient solutions. The role is best suited for those who have great interpersonal skills and possess an entrepreneurial spirit. Energy advisors also enjoy the analytical and technical aspects of the job. For those who enjoy solving problems and making decisions, this type of work can be a rewarding challenge.
Why is there such a high demand for Energy Advisors?
In 2021, the federal government launched the Canada Green Homes Grant to encourage homeowners to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. To gain access to the grant, homeowners must have an EnerGuide evaluation completed by a certified Energy Advisor. Currently, the province does not have enough Energy Advisors to fill the demand.
What you’ll learn
To become a certified Energy Advisor, you must complete two exams required by Natural Resources Canada: the Energy Advisor Foundation Level Exam and Energy Advisor (House) Exam.
This program will teach you the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully pass the exams. You’ll learn:
- Building Science: Gain an understanding of building science principles, building materials, construction methods, mechanical systems, and building envelopes.
- Energy Foundations: Learn about the house as a system and how each building component interacts with the other.
- Energy Advisor: Understand the processes required to perform EnerGuide energy assessments.
- Virtual Probationary Files: Learn how to assess the overall energy efficiency and energy performance of homes, perform data collection and energy modelling, and provide upgrade recommendations based on each house model.
Who should take this program?
NorQuest’s Energy Advisor program is designed for contractors and professionals with knowledge of building science and residential construction, including:
- Former building contractors or construction professionals
- Engineers and architects
- Home Inspectors and /or related fields
- HVAC Experts, electricians, and other technicians
- Individuals who might do home renovations, upgrades, fixing of their own homes and have a passion /interest in home upgrades /energy efficiency
This career is most suited for individuals who are self-motivated, can work well with little supervision, are attentive to detail, and enjoy a combination of working with people and solitary tasks.
If you’re interested in making homes more energy efficient, saving homeowners money on energy costs, and want to contribute to a healthier planet, an Energy Advisor career is the perfect fit!
Gain on-site experience
On-site training has numerous benefits. It gives you the chance to take the theoretical knowledge you learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations. Plus, it gives you tangible work experience you can use when applying for jobs.
In this program, you’ll attend two field sessions with an experienced Energy Advisor. During these two days, you’ll gain experience collecting data from a residential home while interacting with the homeowner and practicing client communication. You'll also have an opportunity to provide upgrade recommendations and energy modelling.
What to expect as an energy advisor
As an Energy Advisor, you’ll enjoy a meaningful career with flexible hours. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, you can work as an independent contractor and be responsible for setting your own schedule. For those who enjoy working for employers, there's a wealth of opportunities for you. As an Energy Advisor, you have the freedom to choose your path.
Tuition and fees
For a limited time only, Natural Resources Canada is fully covering tuition fees for qualifying learners. This funding also covers your exam fees. Take advantage of these training supports and join an in-demand industry with high median pay and plenty of job opportunities.
To be successful in this program, we recommend you have the following level of English language proficiency or equivalent.
Test scores we accept:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5; no section score below 6
- CLBA: no section score below 8
- TOEFL iBT: 84; no section score below 21
- Cambridge English Language Assessment: 180; no section score below 165
Program requirements
Academic requirements
To be successful in this program, we recommend you have the following academic background or equivalent:
Language Arts – this requirement can be met with any of the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in English Language Arts 30-1
- 60% in English Language Arts 30-2
Mathematics – this requirement can be met with any of the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in Mathematics 10-C
English language proficiency requirements
To be successful in this program, we recommend you have the following level of English language proficiency or equivalent.
Test scores we accept:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5; no section score below 6
- CLBA: no section score below 8
- TOEFL iBT: 84; no section score below 21
- Cambridge English Language Assessment: 180; no section score below 165
Partners
Privacy notice statement
The personal information requested on this form is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to process your request for information, for internal statistical and enrolment management purposes and to provide ongoing information regarding our courses, programs or events. For information about the collection and use of this information, contact the Regulatory & Compliance Coordinator at 10215 108 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 1L6, Tel. 780.644.6000.