The Phase I Skills Gap Assessment Report is ready!

HRAI partnered with NRCan and Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Bridging the Skills Gap for Heat Pump Proficiency research project. This project has three phases:

  • Phase I: Skills Gap Assessment
  • Phase II: Development of training to address the skills identified in Phase I
  • Phase III: Pilot the training developed in Phase II

Research goal: understand the existing skills and competencies in the Residential HVAC workforce, and what training and education is needed to enhance their knowledge and capabilities to better support the market transition to electrification and heat pumps.

In Phase I, a technical committee of heat pump SMEs (subject matter experts) developed a DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) documenting the process of a residential heat pump installation from the first on-site conversation with the homeowner, through the step by step installation, troubleshooting a service call and regular maintenance. The result identified 23 skill sets, which was transferred into an on-line technical assessment completed by almost 100 G2s and 313Ds from across Ontario. The inputs gathered from the technicians help us understand the state of the existing workforce – both G2s and 313Ds – their readiness from a skills and competencies perspective and any potential skill gaps. Throughout Phase I, significant stakeholder engagement was also conducted.

The report highlights issues faced by the industry as we transition from fossil fuel heat sources to emission-free heat pumps, the skills gap and areas where knowledge needs improvement by the technicians that install, service and maintain heat pumps, and a series of recommendations aimed at addressing and moving the industry along so that it and its workforce can thrive in a low carbon economy.

Ontario’s current residential HVAC workforce employs more than 32,000 G2 technicians and 3,340 313D mechanics. We can’t afford to let more than 90 percent of our workforce become less relevant as society shifts to a decarbonized, low carbon economy.

For Phase II involved the collaboration with multiple colleges to develop curriculum that addresses the skills gaps identified in Phase I. The course was designed as an intense 8-week training program – a combination of on-line learning and hands-on lab work. The assessment identified the need for an overall approach with heightened attention and training in the areas of sizing and selection, installation, maintenance, controls and line voltage and codes and commissioning.

Phase III is underway. It involves the pilot delivery of the training developed in Phase II. Training is being conducted at multiple colleges across Ontario. As a research project with limited space and funding, more than 50 G2 and 313D technicians are enrolled in the training. The commitment is intense, up to 10 hours per week, including 6 hour labs on the weekend, and 100% attendance and completion required to attain the certificate.

Our goal: Building a capable and talented Residential HVAC workforce that will succeed in a low carbon, electrified economy.

In Ontario, in order to install a heat pump in compliance with the province’s requirements, one must have either a Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanics (313D) or Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (313A) license. A Gas Technicians (G2) is not authorized to install or work on a heat pump.

For more information on the program, please contact Stephanie Meyer.

This project is funded in part by Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.