The 3-day-long Iron & Earth training program took place as part of the 6-week Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) near Kidney Lake AB, presented by Dexterra Community Initiatives. OYEP is a national network of land-based education, training and work opportunities for high school aged Indigenous youth. OYEP.ca

Instructor Kuan Jian Foo guides youth through a solar energy exercise as part of Iron & Earth’s “Introduction to Renewable Energy and Career Pathways” at OYEP 2025. Photo by Tamarra Canu.

Hi Kuan, can you tell us a bit about your professional background and how you got involved with Iron & Earth?

I’ve been working in the green building and renewable energy sector for many years. For 15 years, I operated a solar installer cooperative on Vancouver Island, BC, which gave me hands-on experience with both residential and commercial solar projects. More recently, I’ve shifted into renewable energy and building energy consulting, where I support remote and Indigenous communities and organizations in planning and implementing sustainable projects. Two years ago, I completed Iron & Earth’s Train the Trainer program because I wanted to share the knowledge and lessons I’ve gained over the years. My goal has always been to help communities make a clean energy transition as well as supporting others get started or advance in their own clean energy careers, and this program has been a natural fit.

What do you enjoy most about being an instructor in these training sessions?

What I enjoy most is the people. Each training is an opportunity to connect with new communities and hear the stories and experiences of the participants. I learn as much from them as they do from me, and that exchange of knowledge is really valuable. I also enjoy working alongside other instructors and organizers at Iron & Earth — it’s a team of people who share my passion for building a more sustainable future, and being part of that collective effort is very motivating.

“I learn as much from them as they do from me, and that exchange of knowledge is really valuable.”

I understand you were also an instructor at OYEP last year. What were the major differences between last year and this year?

There were definitely more similarities than differences, but the main change was that we could build on what we learned in the first delivery and shaped the content accordingly. We made adjustments to place more emphasis on hands-on activities and group learning. This year, we introduced more team-based exercises on the second day, which created a very engaging and collaborative environment. It felt like participants were not just absorbing information, but actively applying it and engaging each other.

Was it primarily fresh faces or were there some returning participants? How was the training received?

It was mostly fresh faces, since we were in a different location this year, though we did have one or two returning participants. The reception was very positive — people were enthusiastic and  engaged throughout the sessions. They seemed to especially enjoy the hands-on activities on day one and the group games and challenges we introduced on day two. The participation was generally high, and you could see that people were both learning and having fun at the same time.

Were there any changes to the training that you felt resonated better with participants?

Yes, definitely. The hands-on activities and interactive elements made a big difference. We introduced games and a Solar Development Challenge that involved point systems and small prizes, and participants responded really well to that format. It turned learning into something active and fun, and it kept everyone engaged in a way that traditional lecture-style training just can’t match. I think it helped participants remember and apply the material more effectively.

“The program is about more than just technical skills — it’s about building confidence, community connections, and pathways into meaningful careers. That combination makes it unique.”

What, in your opinion, makes this program special?

For me, what stands out is the thoughtfulness behind the program design and the partnerships that make it possible. Iron & Earth and OYEP (Outland Youth Employment Program) work closely together to create an experience that is not only educational but also empowering for participants. The program is about more than just technical skills — it’s about building confidence, community connections, and pathways into meaningful careers. That combination makes it unique.

Were there any moments that stuck out to you? If so please share!

One highlight for me was the group presentations at the end of the Solar Development Challenge on day two. Watching the teams come together, develop their projects, debate with each other on the different pathways and then stand up and present them was inspiring. You could see how much they had learned in just a short time, and the courage it took in sharing their work was really rewarding to witness.

Would you be interested in returning next year? If so, why?

Yes, absolutely. I find the whole experience deeply rewarding — from meeting and working with participants, to collaborating with the Iron & Earth team, to seeing the impact the training has on people’s confidence and skills. It’s a privilege to be part of something that supports both individual growth and the broader transition to renewable energy. I would gladly come back and contribute again.

Iron & Earth OYEP 2025 Instructors from left to right: Roberta Giroux, MaryGold Bhandari, Kuan Jian Foo, and Jodie Hon. Photo by Tamarra Canu.

Iron & Earth Renewable Skills Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program. For a full list of our amazing partners and funders, visit ironandearth.org/our_supporters