The Sustainable Building Technology Program provides students with the applied knowledge and hands-on skills needed to support energy-efficient construction and retrofit projects. Over 300 hours of in-class instruction and shop training, students learn the fundamentals of green building standards, high-performance building envelopes, energy-efficient mechanical systems, renewable energy integration, and smart building controls.

The program emphasizes safe work practices, industry sustainability standards, and the installation of high-efficiency systems under instructor supervision. Students gain practical exposure to tools, materials, and methods used in sustainable construction, while completing safety and industry certification training.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level, support-focused roles in the sustainable construction sector, assisting licensed trades and professionals to implement energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building practices.

As part of the program, students complete or prepare for the following certifications:

• WHMIS 2015
• Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level 1
• Ladder Safety Training
• BC Energy Step Code Training
• Passive House Tradesperson (Awareness Level)
• HOT2000 Energy Modeling Certificate (Natural Resources Canada)
• Preparation for LEED Green Associate Exam (optional external exam administered by the Canada Green Building Council).

This training equips students with job-ready skills for sustainable construction, retrofit, and energy efficiency roles.

Graduates of this program are prepared for a variety of entry-level roles in the fast-growing green building and retrofit sector. Career opportunities include positions such as sustainable building installer, retrofit worker, energy efficiency technician assistant, or renewable energy systems helper—supporting the installation of heat pumps, solar panels, water-saving technologies, and high-performance building envelopes. Employment prospects exist with construction firms, HVAC and renewable energy contractors, property management companies, and sustainability-focused organizations. This program also provides a strong foundation for apprenticeships or further technical training in HVAC, plumbing, or electrical trades, with an emphasis on energy-efficient and sustainable construction practices.

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent (General Education Development, Adult Basic Education) or mature student status (age 19 and one year out of school). All transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals.

Prior to acceptance, applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and meet each of the following requirements listed under items 1) and 2) below.

1) Fulfill Math Assessment Requirement

Math Assessment requirement

• Domestic Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%
• OR
• b) Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.
• International Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%.
• OR
• b) International students can meet the Math Entrance Assessment requirement by providing an equivalent to Canadian High School Math 10, 11 or 12 with a passing grade of ‘C’. The credential must be evaluated and verified.

2) Fulfill Language Proficiency Requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria (a, b, c, or d)

• a) Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages*.

  *Applicants are advised to contact ACE Community College to confirm whether their country is officially recognized as one where English is the principal language of instruction for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

• b) 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (including international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

  *Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

• c) Provide official, verified transcripts showing results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below, with scores that meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified for each test.

  Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:

  • International English Language Testing System:(IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
  • Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
  • Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
  • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

• d) Mature student applicants ONLY:

  Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:

  • I. Applicant must provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages.

• II. Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • ✓ Reading: 230
  • ✓ Writing: 230
  • ✓ WritePlacer: 4

By the end of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and principles of sustainable building practices.
• Apply BC Energy Step Code requirements and other green building standards to construction and retrofit projects.
• Recognize key features of LEED, WELL, BOMA BEST, and Passive House frameworks.
• Interpret Canadian building codes and regulations related to energy efficiency.
• Use HOT2000 and RETScreen software tools to complete basic energy modeling and performance analysis.
• Identify sustainable building materials, products, and components used in high-performance systems.
• Install and seal insulation, air/vapour barriers, and high-performance windows and doors.
• Demonstrate airtightness testing methods using blower door equipment and related tools.
• Assist in the installation and commissioning of heat pumps and other high-efficiency HVAC systems.
• Connect and test basic renewable energy systems, including solar PV and solar hot water.
• Install and maintain water conservation technologies such as low-flow fixtures, hot water heat pumps, and basic greywater systems.
• Configure and program smart building controls, thermostats, and energy monitoring devices.
• Apply safe worksite practices, including PPE use, ladder safety, and tool handling.
• Implement environmental standards such as waste diversion, recycling, and site clean-up.
• Participate effectively as part of a multi-trade team on sustainability-focused projects.
• Communicate professionally with peers, instructors, and industry partners.
• Complete required safety certifications: WHMIS 2015, Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level 1, Ladder Safety, and BC Energy Step Code Training.
• Participate in awareness-level training for Passive House Tradesperson and HOT2000 Energy Modeling.
• Integrate multiple building systems into a small-scale sustainable retrofit project, including quality control and performance testing.

• Assessment will include regular quizzes/assignments to track progress and a comprehensive final exam to evaluate overall knowledge and skills.

• Successful completion of all on-campus tests and final exam with a minimum of 50% overall average.

• The total program hours are 300.
• The full-time program length is 15 weeks.
• The part-time program length is 20 weeks.

Students should expect to complete up to 1 hour of independent homework or assignments per instructional day.

• 100% hours of instruction delivered in a classroom or other setting, where instructors share the same physical space as students.

Textbook:

• Sustainable Building Technology Program E-book
  • Author: ACE Community College
  • Publisher: ACE Community College

Equipment & Shop Materials:

• Access to program-owned shop tools and demonstration equipment
• Project-specific materials provided by the program, i.e., sealing tape (air & vapour barrier), gasket material samples, insulation off-cuts, weatherstripping samples, caulking/sealant, fasteners (nails, screws, bolts), plywood & dimensional lumber (share), drywall panels (share), printed binder & handouts, PPE cleaning wipes/sanitizer, marking tools (carpenter’s pencil, chalk line refill), sandpaper/abrasive pads, electrical wire & conduit samples, ducting samples, plumbing pipe & fittings

PPE:

• CSA-approved safety glasses
• CSA-approved work gloves
• High-visibility vest
• Steel-toe safety boots
• Hard hat (CSA-approved)
• Respirator or dust mask

Other Educational Materials:

• Laptop to access Moodle LMS for assignments and exams
• Notepad and pens