ABOUT IRON & EARTH
Iron & Earth is a worker-led organization whose mission is to empower fossil fuel industry and Indigenous workers to build and implement climate solutions. Our overarching intention is to help create an environmentally and socially prosperous planet. Our vision is that fossil fuel industry and Indigenous workers will play a leading role in building the policy and infrastructure required to reach global climate targets. Our top-level goal is to help ensure a prosperous transition towards global carbon neutrality by 2050.
Iron & Earth worked with Desmond Bull from the Louis Bull Tribe to develop a 10-day Community Solar Skills Program for fossil fuel industry and Indigenous workers.
We are proud to be partnering with the Nunatsiavut Government to host the Community Solar Skills Program with in-class training, including Fall Protection Training, from July 11 - 16, 2022, in Rigolet, and 5 days of hands-on installation training at one of four roof-mounted solar projects being constructed in Rigolet, Hopedale, Postville, or Nain.
We are currently accepting applications from Nunatsiavut beneficiaries aged from 18 - 30 based in the communities and surrounding areas of Postville Nain, Hopedale or Rigolet with an interest in learning the skills needed to participate in solar energy project design, installation and maintenance.
Thanks to the generous contributions of the Nunatsiavut Government Youth Energy Training Initiative, the Community Solar Skills Program will be available at no cost to the participants.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
We wish to honor those that have stewarded the land since time immemorial and extend our sincere thanks to the Inuit of Nunatsiavut for welcoming the Community Solar Skills Program to be hosted on their lands.
Community Solar Skills Program
The Community Solar Skills Program will include six days of in-class work and five days of hands-on training which involves the installation of a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic energy system.
The first week of the program will include in-class learning and Fall Protection Training at Rigolet from July 11 - 16 2022. For the 5 days of hand-on learning experience, trainees will be hosted at one of four roof-mounted solar projects being constructed in Rigolet, Hopedale, Postville, or Nain.
The Community Solar Skills Program provides context on solar energy generation projects and the importance of incorporating Indigenous traditional knowledge and practices throughout the project life cycle. To deepen participant understanding of these important contributions, the in-class portion of the program will include cross-cultural learning guided by a local Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper and education regarding reconciliation, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Indigenous perspectives on renewable energy.
The knowledge and experience provided by the Community Solar Skills Program will empower program participants to find meaningful work along related career pathways.
Conceptual Lens
The conceptual lens brings focus to the treatment and delivery of content. For this course, the conceptual lens is:
Knowledge and experience of solar PV installation that empowers participants to pursue related careers.
Key Concepts
These concepts support the delivery of course content through the conceptual lens identified. By the end of the course, participants will understand how multiple pieces of content contribute to:
- Safety
- Efficiency
- Climate Change
- Cultural Connections
- Net-Zero Future
- Renewable Careers
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand solar energy within the greater context of energy production in Canada.
- Recognize solar energy production as an action that supports increased autonomy and well-being for Indigenous communities in Canada.
- Evaluate the suitability of careers in the solar energy sector for themselves.
- Safely perform key aspects of work on a solar project, outside of electrical jurisdiction.
- Have knowledge necessary to pursue work as a non-electrician employee on a residential, utility or commercial-scale solar energy project.
- Understand the scope of electrician-related tasks associated with the installation of a PV solar array.
Course Outline
- Unit 1: Cultural and Environmental Awareness
- Unit 2: Solar Awareness
- Unit 3: Electrical Awareness
- Unit 4: The Life Cycle of a Solar PV Installation Project
- Unit 5: Taking Action - Installing a Safe and Efficient Solar PV System
REQUIRED AND PREFERRED APPLICANT QUALITIES
Participants in this course must:
- Be a Nunatsiavut beneficiary.
- Have completed Grade 10 (minimum).
Participants in this course should:
- Have experience in construction and/or general labour (including farm labour)
- Be confident with overall site safety protocols
Current Fall Protection Certification is an asset however Fall Protection Training will be provided during the week of July 11 - 16, 2022.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
How to apply
- Please fill out the application form which you can find at this link.
Please note that the program delivery structure and location information is subject to change to ensure participant safety and wellness and in adherence to Nunatsiavut Gvovernment public health measures, restrictions and guidelines to reduce the spread COVID-19.