Building Science Boom
There’s no doubt about it: the Canadian building industry and building science in general are booming with no signs of slowing down. If anything, the challenge lies within not enough of a workforce to do all the jobs.
The Canadian housing industry is currently undergoing a massive scale transformation that lends itself nicely for a new wave of building professionals to emerge. This new landscape of building better homes is creating a huge opportunity for new graduates looking for viable work. As the nature of this work changes aims to be more sustainable with a greater focus on the whole home as a system, new skills are required to keep up with the ever-growing Canadian housing demand and retrofit market.
Building science is quickly becoming a career that is in high demand and it is more accessible than ever before.
Due to the influx of technology and career opportunities that this field offers, the workforce is evolving. Building science is quickly becoming a career that is in high demand and it is more accessible than ever before. Programs are offered at colleges/universities across the country, readying young professional for the new challenges of the building industry – challenges that we at NAIMA Canada are prepared to tackle with some help from our own on-staff building science technologist, who himself is a recent graduate.
With a great knowledge of building design, construction processes, energy modelling and sustainability, Nick Gazo was an ideal candidate for the Building Science Technical Services position at NAIMA Canada.
He had developed these highly sought-after skills and qualities during his time in Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Building Science Degree program, where he also graduated with Honours and gained recognition in the school’s prestigious Fifty Faces of Notable Graduates Program.
NAIMA Canada is a Trade Association for Mineral Fibre Insulation and is only one of many different environments in the construction industry where building science proficiency is a valued asset. We recognize there is a shortage of building science professionals in Canada, so we asked Nick what he would say to anyone who is wondering if they should enter the field of building science and about the prospects of job opportunities.
This is what he said:
The field of building science is growing in Canada because it is a major part of the solution that is outlined in the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change.
In Nick’s Words
“I’ve only finished graduating a little over a year now and many of my friends already work for engineering companies, both in the public and private sector while a few of my friends work in research laboratories where they learn about future products and other exciting cutting-edge technologies.
The field of building science is growing in Canada because it is a major part of the solution that is outlined in the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change. By 2030, Canada’s building stock needs to combat climate change by consuming only as much energy as can be locally generated using renewable resources, while being durable to reduce maintenance/restoration efforts, and comfortable to support healthy living where people can enjoy where they work and live.
With ‘better buildings’ being the solution, this means building design, construction processes, and building operation need to be optimized, which is exactly the type of problem solving the field of building science deals with.
Building Science is normally taught at a Master’s Degree level, so I was grateful that Algonquin College offers a Bachelor’s Degree program to allow students to gain a variety of skills and knowledge while learning specifically what they like about the field, before aiming to get a job or deciding to continue with further schooling.
For me, I really enjoyed learning about Sustainable Construction Methods, Energy Modelling, and Building Envelope based problem solving, so it’s great that I now work at NAIMA Canada where I get to do all of that pretty regularly.
I knew I wanted to be in Building Science because I liked building design and problem solving, and seeing now where the industry is at, I couldn’t have made a better choice. So, if anyone is considering joining a Building Science program right now, the industry is ready for you, and this is the time to do it!”
Growing Forward
As mentioned, Building Science is a field that will soon have a major impact on the Canadian workforce because the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change is rapidly approaching its deadline and there is still so much work to be done! The Canadian building stock (existing and new construction) will need to comply with very strict energy requirements, so there is a definite sense of urgency as the industry is desperate for this next wave of building professionals to be ready.
The new workforce needs to be ready to jump into the building energy crisis and get their hands dirty. Careers in building science, energy consulting, sustainable building, and whole home retrofit approaches are bursting onto the scene. Better buildings and better careers in building science are the new best bet.
