Challenge Overview

Student teams will create a compelling outreach campaign that answers the question:

“How can we inspire young people in Canada to choose careers in the clean economy?”

Campaigns may highlight opportunities in energy efficiency, heat pumps, EVs, green buildings, forestry innovation, circular economy, clean tech research, Indigenous Power, or other climate-positive sectors.

Thematic Streams

1. Clean Energy & Electrification (sponsored by Zero Emissions Innovation Centre Sustainable Workforce Coalition)
   Focus on renewable electricity (hydro, wind, solar), electrified transportation, battery tech, or grid innovation.
2. Green Buildings & Retrofits (sponsored by Canadian Apprenticeship Forum)
   Explore jobs improving building performance—retrofits, insulation, design, engineering, HVAC, heat pump installation, energy advising, safety and regulatory compliance etc.
3. Innovation & Clean Tech (sponsored by Toronto 2030 District)
   Highlight BC’s emerging tech sectors: hydrogen, biotech, software for climate data and modeling, ocean tech, materials innovation, carbon mitigation, load management, smart metering, heat pumps etc.

Minimum Competition Regulations
Eligibility

• Open to BC students, ages 15-18.
• Teams of 2 students; individual entries allowed. [We will cap the number of teams at 12 so please register early].
• Schools, youth groups, and community organizations may sponsor entries.

 

Registration

Email maia@urbanclimateleadership.org for additional information, and to be added to the contact list for registration following the launch of the challenge website.

Campaign Requirements

• The campaign must target youth ages 15–18 in BC.
• Must indicate the target audience for the campaign.
• Must highlight at least one thematic stream.
• All work must be original and cite sources for facts or statistics.

Format & Submission

• Digital submissions only.
• Videos must be under 2 minutes.
• Written materials must not exceed 600 words.
• All external music/images must be copyright-free or properly licensed.

Presentation

All teams must present their campaign in person at the Sustainable Workforce Conference and be able to speak to their presentations on Day 1 during the breaks, and lunch period. The team will have use of up to one half of a table for their display (4 ft) or easel.

Prizes

• Grand Prize and a media profile
• People’s Choice Award – the winner as selected by participants in the national workforce conference
• Thematic Winners (x3)