Energy Advisor

Energy Advisor

Are you a self-starter with a desire to improve energy efficiency in homes? Becoming an energy advisor will empower you to help homeowners make real savings and changes in their homes. NorQuest can help you meet the requirements to become a certified energy advisor today.

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.

Additional information

To prepare you for these exams, this program will provide you with a strong knowledge of the following topics:

  • 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. Perform unit conversions, geometric and arithmetic calculations.
  • Energy Advisor: Understand the processes required to perform EnerGuide energy assessments. Topics include an overview of the EnerGuide rating system, roles and responsibilities of energy advisors, data collection process and requirements, energy efficiency upgrade options (including payback and savings), quality assurance process, and an introduction to HOT2000 energy modelling software.
  • Virtual Probationary Files (online practice assessment): 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.

Tuition and fees

For a limited time, tuition fees for this program are fully covered for qualifying learners, and also includes exam fees for the Energy Foundation Level Exam & Energy Advisor (House). Take advantage of these training supports today. This opportunity is funded by a generous grant from Natural Resources Canada.

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

Career opportunities

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.

Partners

Natural Resources Canada

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