New solar technician training program launches at a community college in eastern Canada

As Canada accelerates its shift toward clean energy, the demand for skilled workers in the renewable sector continues to rise. To address this growing gap, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is launching the province’s first Wind & Solar Energy Technician program.

Set to begin in September 2025 at NBCC’s Saint John campus, this two-year diploma aims to train professionals capable of supporting the country’s expanding renewable energy infrastructure.

With New Brunswick’s 2023 energy roadmap targeting a fivefold increase in wind and solar capacity over the next 12 years, the region is preparing for a surge in renewable energy projects. However, a shortage of trained professionals remains a key challenge. Employers in the renewable energy sector have long struggled to find qualified workers, often having to look far beyond the province to fill positions.

Jeff McAloon, co-owner of Smart Energy Company in Quispamsis, described the difficulty in recruiting skilled technicians, saying that his business has had to search extensively to fill roles. The new NBCC program aims to change that by providing hands-on training tailored to industry needs.

Bridging the Labor Gap

NBCC’s program is designed to equip students with the technical expertise required to thrive in the wind and solar energy sector. The first year focuses on electrical and electronics engineering, aligning with coursework from NBCC’s existing Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician certificate program.

In the second year, students will receive specialized training in wind and solar energy systems, covering operations, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting in both simulated and real-world environments. A co-op placement will provide additional on-the-job experience, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce.

Applications for the program opened in October 2024, with an initial capacity of 25 students per year.

The program has received significant backing from industry partners, reinforcing its importance in Canada’s clean energy transition. Irving Oil Ltd. has pledged $500,000 to support experiential learning by providing new tools and establishing bursaries for students enrolled in energy-related programs.

The RBC Foundation has committed $550,000 to fund the creation of a virtual reality lab, offering students an immersive learning environment that simulates real-world renewable energy scenarios. These investments reflect a growing recognition among businesses that a skilled workforce is essential for meeting Canada’s climate targets and ensuring the long-term viability of the clean energy sector.

Why This Program Matters Now

The transition to renewable energy is already underway, but integrating more wind and solar power into the grid presents both technical and financial challenges. Local electricity grids were originally designed to distribute power in one direction—from centralized plants to consumers.

The shift toward decentralized energy generation, where homes and businesses both consume and generate power, requires significant upgrades to distribution networks. Additional infrastructure, such as new sensors and programming, is needed to accommodate two-way electricity flow safely and efficiently.

Despite these hurdles, industry leaders see distributed energy generation as an inevitable evolution.

Darren Chu, managing director of Utility Network and Partners in Alberta, noted that utilities will eventually need to upgrade their networks to support increased solar and wind integration. While these upgrades require investment, they also present opportunities to improve grid efficiency and resilience.

Expanding solar energy capacity, combined with advancements in battery storage and bidirectional electric vehicle charging, is expected to enhance grid reliability and balance electricity supply and demand more effectively.

With electricity demand in Canada projected to double or triple by 2050, ensuring a skilled workforce is in place to support this transition is crucial.

Francis Bradley, CEO of Electricity Canada, has spoken about the future of energy consumers evolving into “prosumers,” individuals who both draw power from the grid and contribute surplus electricity back into it. He emphasized that utilities across the country are exploring how to integrate rooftop solar and other distributed energy solutions while preparing for an era of significantly increased electricity consumption.

NBCC’s Wind & Solar Energy Technician program arrives at a pivotal moment.

As Canada moves toward a cleaner, more decentralized energy system, the need for professionals trained in renewable technologies will only grow. By equipping students with the skills necessary to support the nation’s clean energy transition, this program ensures that New Brunswick is not just keeping up with the future of energy—but helping to shape it.