Phius Trades Training Aims to Strengthen the Passive Building Workforce

At its core, passive building is a holistic practice. Every part of a passive building must be designed and constructed with all other parts in mind — a meticulously crafted symphony producing an elegant, optimized result.

The ventilation system provides fresh air while the high-performance windows and airtight enclosure team up with the continuous insulation to maintain indoor temperatures and create the luxurious indoor environment that is a hallmark of passive buildings. But remove one of those elements, or even alter it the wrong way, and the balance of the building can be thrown out of whack.

This holistic approach applies to the project team itself in addition to the ERVs and tilt-turn windows. If all the stakeholders involved in a Phius passive project aren’t in lockstep throughout the design and construction process, issues can arise that jeopardize the building’s performance, budget and ability to earn Phius Certification. This includes the owner/developer, architect, engineers and of course the trades professionals responsible for bringing all the plans and designs to fruition. 

That last piece — the trades professionals — is especially crucial, and the lack of properly trained tradespeople is an ongoing challenge in the passive building industry. In an effort to fill this gap, we have developed the Phius Trades Training, which offers construction professionals the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully deliver Phius Certified passive buildings.

We have hosted several trainings already, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the training back to Albany, New York Feb. 23-25. In conjunction with the Phius Alliance New York chapter, a sold-out training was held there in March, and the resulting buzz in the region stirred up enough interest that we’re already returning! Registration is now open, so be sure to spread the word.

Currently, the trades program offers the Enclosure Specialist designation, with focus on the building science behind various control layers, an examination of how to properly select appropriate materials and how different materials work together to create a high-performance enclosure system. Trainees don’t learn all this from Powerpoint slides, they participate in the construction of a passive “pod” with a foundation, four walls and window openings. They see firsthand how (and how not to) tape, fasten, cut and seal on Phius projects — the Phius way.

We are still working to scale up the delivery of the Phius Trades Training, with the goal of bolstering the workforce on the frontline of passive building construction, and providing a valuable opportunity for tradespeople to advance their skillset and stand out in their field. 

The upcoming Phius Trades Training in Albany is a small next step in our efforts to support practitioners involved in the design and construction of Phius projects. The training program will continue evolving and expanding, alongside our other programs and events, and we ultimately hope to deliver a support system as elegantly fine tuned as a Phius Certified building.

Would you be interested in attending a Phius Trades Training near you? Let us know!