Home construction, carpentry, energy efficiency

Position: Construction Skills Trainer
Organization: Keepers of the Circle
Location: Temiskaming Shores, Ontario (In person. Applicants from across Ontario are welcome.)

About Keepers of the Circle

Keepers of the Circle is an Indigenous Hub operated by the Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group (TNWSG), a non-profit organization founded in 1997 to promote the economic, cultural, and social equity of Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated Construction Skills Trainer to collaborate across multiple programs to lead curriculum development and hands-on delivery of green construction training programs for Indigenous participants. Training sessions may take place in Kirkland Lake, New Liskeard, on-reserve with Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario and, eventually in other provinces and territories across Canada. As a Construction Skills Trainer, you will be responsible for developing and delivering training that builds foundational construction skills for residential projects, including both new builds and retrofits. The training will emphasize green construction practices that promote energy efficiency, sustainability, and healthy living environments.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Facilitate hands-on, entry-level construction skills training to diverse learners in alignment with program goals.
• Design, update, and adapt training materials and curriculum to reflect industry standards and community needs.
• Maintain and manage inventory of tools, equipment, and training materials; ensure all are organized, functional, and safely stored.
• Engage with internal departments and external partners to coordinate efforts and ensure successful delivery of program goals.
• Perform research to support the design and delivery of construction and skilled trades training curriculum, drawing on best practices, instructional methods, and current trends in construction education.
• Promote training opportunities through outreach, networking, and participation in community events, career fairs, and partner engagements.
• Use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) to develop training materials (I.e., slideshows) and for planning, reporting, and documentation purposes.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Indigenous communities in Ontario and across Canada as needed.
• Supporting our training participants by contributing to the intake process, supporting with wrap around supports and other participant needs.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning in construction, skilled trades, and green building practices through participation in formal trainings, workshops, and industry conferences.
• Develop and execute curriculum and awareness initiatives to enhance learning and foster engagement in construction and skilled trades.

Requirements:

• Construction, carpentry and/or skilled trades experience
• Understanding of energy efficiency and the technologies and techniques to make homes more energy efficient
• Residential construction knowledge (structures, terminology, systems approach)

• Retrofit fundamentals (HVAC, insulation, air sealing, moisture management, energy efficiency upgrades)
• Blueprint reading basics (symbols, scales, dimensions, plan interpretation)
• Excellent teaching and mentorship skills
• Experience developing training curriculum or facilitating groups
• Comfortable presenting online and in person for workshops and events 
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Experience working with Indigenous communities  
• Collaboration and teamwork 
• Highly organized and efficient with time management  
• Ability to apply critical thinking to solve complex issues  
• Motivated to learn and develop new skills  
• Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint 
• Respect for diversity and inclusion 
• Able to demonstrate a high level of professionalism  
• Ability to travel and a valid G license   

Assets: 

• Journeyperson or Red Seal certification in carpentry or another skilled trade.
• Project management or coordination experience
• Event planning experience
• Proficiency in administrative tasks such as filing, documentation, tracking, and organizational support. 
• Ability to develop workplans and budgets 
• Understanding and experience with renewable energy
• Trauma-informed training  
• Knowledge of Indigenous languages spoken in the region 

KOTC values the local community, and preference will be given to recruiting a local candidate who can be on-site at our Kirkland Lake location and has a good understanding of the Northern landscape. Employees living in other parts of Ontario may be considered.  

Even if you don’t think you meet the listed requirements, we still encourage you to apply! We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual with a strong interest in teaching and a willingness to develop their skills and understanding in green construction. If you're eager to share your knowledge and support others in building construction skills and confidence, we want to hear from you.

If you would like more information about the role, please reach out to hr@keepersofthecircle.com .

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility

We advocate for the presence and contributions of all people regardless of race, colour, religion, age, genetic status, sex, military status, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. As an Indigenous organization, Keepers of the Circle has an affirmative action policy that prioritizes the hiring of Indigenous Peoples and community affiliates. Please let us know of any specific requirements during the application process by emailing hr@keepersofthecircle.com – we are happy to work with you on accommodation requests.

How To Apply

We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Our first round of review for applicants will start on May 23, 2025. All applications received before this date will be reviewed in the first round. Please send your resume and cover letter to hr@keepersofthecircle.com with the subject title “Construction Skills Trainer Application – (Your Name)”.  

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