NEWS FEATURE

Current CHC Chair Jerry Leyte welcomes attendees to the Conference in Saskatoon. Robert Bean addresses the challenges and opportunities in a future with Net Zero buildings.

HYDRONICS CONFERENCE SHINES IN SASKATOON The Canadian Hydronics Conference, the bi-annual event organized by the Canadian Hydronics Council, returned with an information-packed two days in Saskatoon, September 27-28, and according to CHC Chair, Jerry Leyte (Viessmann), attendance was improved over the last event which was held in Ottawa in 2019.

Attendees enjoyed sunny days and above average seasonal temperatures in the Bridge City, and the conference delivered forward-looking content for the hydronics contractors in attendance, and over 40 exhibitors were on hand to share information and demonstrate products.

The opening keynote, delivered by Robert Bean, focused on electrification and net-zero concepts. Bean commented that carbon reduction will come at a cost, both a societal cost as people need to change their way of living and break old habits, and there will be an economic cost as well as the transition to new technologies will be costly up front but the pay back will accelerate over time.

He encouraged the audience to incorporate an integrated design approach when it comes to heating and cooling buildings. We must consider all facets of the building to improve the performance and comfort level for the occupants and avoid having tunnel vision and just doing things the way they’ve always been done.

“There are huge opportunities for this industry, because as the world moves towards these net zero, green sustainability goals there’s a huge opportunity to fix the buildings that we have … and in Canada the federal government is targeting by 2030 that roughly 3.5 million new homes will be built,” said Bean.

“You guys are sitting at one of the most opportune times in your careers, the marriage between high-performance buildings, the drive for renewable systems, low temperature heating, high temperature cooling, large surface area heat exchangers—it will never get any better than this, so your timing is excellent.”

Other educational sessions over the two days included topics like: air-to-water heat pumps, chemical and non-chemical water treatment options, snow melt systems, managing home owner expectations, solar thermal for hydronics, a CSA B214 update, and more.

The final session had a Saskatchewan focus with presentations from government and energy officials outlining building code issues and incentive opportunities.

Overall the two days offered plenty of learning opportunities combined with valuable networking time for this passionate group of hydronics professionals. ciph.com

CAF-FCA LAUNCHES GRANT PROGRAM UNDER CANADIAN APPRENTICESHIP SERVICE The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) and its partners – the Canadian Construction Association, Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board, Apprenticesearch.com, BuildForce Canada and SkillPlan have launched the Canadian Apprenticeship Service program, distributing grants to employers who hire level one apprentices.

The Apprenticeship Service is encouraging small- and medium-sized employers to hire level 1 apprentices by offering $5,000 grants. Employers may receive $10,000 if they hire a level 1 apprentice from an equity-deserving group.

CAF-FCA research indicates that over the five-year period from 2022 to 2026, an estimated 122,380 new journeypersons will be required to sustain workforce certification levels across the 50-plus Red Seal trades – the nationally recognized standard for skilled trades in Canada. The recruitment of 256,000 apprentices will be required to keep pace with certification demand.

CAF-FCA and its partners are positioned to make this program a success combining employer engagement with high quality training. Through research and consultations with industry, CAF-FCA and its partners understand training best practices and have created a model shaped to meet employer needs, increasing the chances of successful program implementation. Employers will be provided an incentive for hiring an apprentice, training related to mentoring, inclusion and essential skills will also be available providing much needed supports to small- and medium-sized employers who do not have HR staff. caf-fca.org