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Click here to view the French version. Cliquez ici pour la version française.
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Issue # 8 March 2010
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Greetings!
We are now well into 2010 and the Electricity Sector Council is busy launching new projects and hosting exciting industry events such as the "Canada - U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue Forum:  Building the Power Workforce of Tomorrow" held in Toronto last month. As one of the speakers and session moderators at the forum, I would like to commend the Council for an excellent job in organizing the event and securing superb speakers, panelists and Keynote presenters. We were very pleased to have the Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (pictured at right) as our Opening Keynote Speaker. More information on the forum is featured in this newsletter.
The recent 2010 Federal Throne Speech has confirmed that finding human resources solutions for our industry is now more important than ever before and this is a role of our Council. The 2011 Labour Market Information (LMI) Program and the recently-approved Training and Learning Development Projects are perfect examples of our continued efforts to build a sustainable workforce.
As President of the Energy Council of Canada, I am pleased to announce that the Electricity Sector Council will be exhibiting at the World Energy Congress 2010 in Montreal this coming September. The World Energy Congress is the premier international multi-energy forum for participants to better understand energy issues and solutions from a global perspective. It brings together more than 2500 top world leaders in the field of energy, coming from industry, governments, and international organizations, as well as the media, universities and energy industry associations. I encourage everyone to attend.
To keep current with the Council, be sure to check their website regularly for news and updates on projects and events, and be sure to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter! The Council continues to grow with each new project and event they undertake, and I'm proud that I am a part of it.
President,
Energy Council of Canada
The Energy Council of Canada, a Member of the global World Energy Council, is a vehicle for strategic thinking, networking and action by senior executives in the private and public sectors that have a broad interest in national, continental and global energy issues. The Energy Council seeks to forge a better understanding of energy issues, in order to optimally shape the energy sector for the benefit of all Canadians. |
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Feature Projects
ESC hosted the "Building the Power Workforce of Tomorrow" forum in Toronto
The Council is pleased to report that the U.S. - Canada Clean Energy Dialogue forum "Building the Power Workforce of Tomorrow" was a great success. The forum was organized in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and was by invitation only. The purpose of the bi-lateral forum was to share information and best practices for skills development programs as well as to develop strategies coordinated for engaging and enhancing these programs.
Participants had an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with  decision makers, government officials, and industry stakeholders from Canada and the United States about challenges, opportunities and effective skills development strategies. Delegates heard from keynotes: the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources Canada; Judith MacBride-King, Principal, MacBride-King and Associates; and Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One Inc.; and a dynamic group of incredible industry leaders.
Thank you to the speakers and participants for making it such an accomplishment.
A final proceedings report of perspectives and best practices will be coming out in June!
Aboriginal Initiatives Continue
The ESC is currently developing and piloting a pre-trades training program for Aboriginal candidates who have essential experience/skills relevant to the electricity sector. This initiative directly addresses important barriers to Aboriginal participation in the industry and reflects many Aboriginal communities' keen interest in skill development as a priority issue. The program will provide skill upgrading and job preparedness to First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit adults who have essential skills/experience for the electricity sector. Currently under development, the program will be piloted in Goose Valley, Labrador this summer.
Interested in sponsoring Aboriginal youth camps? The ESC is planning several youth camps across the country in the summer. For sponsorship opportunities, click here. New ESC Project Focuses on Training Demands in the Electricity and Renewable Energy Industry
The Council's newest project, Training and Learning Development, will  undertake a diagnostic of the demands of the training function being fuelled by the pending retirements, career progression and changing technology in the electricity and renewable energy industry, most notably in the areas of smart grid and renewable generation.
Through the project activities, the project will build a framework for industry action to identify strategies and tactics in support of improved training capacity in the industry and, as a result, support improved workforce availability.
Click here to learn more about this new project.
Register for the 2011 Labour Market Information by March 31, 2010
The deadline for support of the 2011 Labour Market Information (LMI) initiative for the electricity and renewable energy industry is quickly approaching.
The Council is seeking to develop an updated study in response to industry demand for more rapid and responsive data. This information is recognized to be essential for regulatory filing and for organizational business planning.
In order to make this data the most robust available, the Council needs  maximum participation from industry. Should we not receive sufficient support, the next opportunity to gather the data will not take place until 2012. At this time we would like to invite you to join our current partners in supporting this program. The final date for registration is March 31, 2010 after which time a decision will be made on whether or not to proceed.
We hope that you will see the benefit in this initiative and choose to become a supporter of the 2011 LMI Study. For more information and to register for the 2011 program, please click here.
Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer - What are You Doing?
With the anticipated loss of nearly 25,000 electricity employees by 2012 there is an urgent need to ensure that industry stakeholders have in place a formal knowledge management system to ensure the timely transfer of knowledge to both new and existing employees. The Council is currently working on a project that will assist industry stakeholders in implementing effective knowledge management processes within their organization.
As part of this initiative, the Council will soon be undertaking an online survey of industry stakeholders to gather information on best practices related to knowledge management and knowledge transfer. Industry participation in this essential initiative will help the Council in its efforts to develop the toolkit into one which is truly reflective of the needs found in the industry today. We hope that you will take the time to contribute.
Click here for more information on the KMAT project.
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| Industry News
Hydro One Donates $2.5 million to University of Western Ontario
In preparation of the expected retirements and shortages of replacements in the electricity and renewable energy industry, Hydro One has donated funds to the University of Western Ontario. The $2.5-million contribution was provided to the university to support a chair in power systems engineering, power systems research and student scholarships. Click here to read the news article which features ESC Chair of the Board of Directors, Tom Goldie.
BC Hydro Aboriginal Scholarships Now Available for BC students: Priority on Technology and Engineering
Aboriginal high school students who live in BC have an opportunity to secure a scholarship from BC Hydro if they plan on enrolling in a public post-secondary institution in Canada. Priority will be given to students who will pursue an education in technology or engineering, however General Admission students are also encouraged to apply. To view the scholarship opportunities and download the application form, please click here.
Speech from the Throne Covers Human Resources Issues
The Government of Canada has made skilled trades and human resources  issues a priority as detailed in the Speech of the Throne which was delivered on March 3, 2010 by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.
Under the Building the Jobs and Industries of the Future section, the following is said on skills and training development:
"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government will continue to provide enhanced support for skills, apprenticeships and training for Canadian workers. It will make timely information on labour market opportunities available for all Canadians, especially in the area of the skilled trades. It will expand the opportunities for our top graduates to pursue post-doctoral studies and to commercialize their ideas."
Photo: Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Photo courtesy of Speech from the Throne website.
If you have any industry news you'd like to see here, please contact us at (613) 235-5540, or email us at info@brightfutures.ca.
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Jeannie Cranmer
Chair, Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiatives Steering Committee
Aboriginal Education and Employment Strategy (AEES) Manager, BC Hydro
Motivation for Volunteering - She wants to contribute and provide action where she sees more work can be done. Her drive of wanting to help others was inspired by her grand-mother who always gave of her time and efforts.
Background - Jeannie is a member of the Namgis First Nation on Vancouver Island. She has worked in Human Resources for over 20 years, and has recently rejoined BC Hydro in November 2005 as the Aboriginal Education and Employment Strategy (AEES) Manager. Jeannie is also a member of the Industry Training Authorities Aboriginal Advisory Council.
She enjoys that her job allows her to travel, and she has been to almost every community in BC. Learning about new places and meeting the people who live in them are some of the reasons she enjoys her work.
Personal life - Jeannie spends a lot of her time with her family and friends and enjoys meeting new people. She remembers reading a fortune cookie once that said her ability to socialize would become her career, which she instantly knew was meant for her. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks on the Northshore of Vancouver with her two dogs.
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Outreach and Partnerships
The ESC is responsible for promoting awareness of current and future career and employment opportunities in the electricity industry; and forming partnerships that will better enable the sector to meet its human resource needs. This includes participating in industry events.
The Council's Executive Director made the following presentations at industry events over the months of September through November:
January 27, 2010 - Electrical Safety Authority, Mississauga, Ontario
February 3 & 4, 2010 - Ontario High Skills Major, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Upcoming Presentations
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| Contact Us
Address: 130 Slater Street, Suite 600
Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2
Phone: (613) 235-5540
Fax: (613) 235-6922
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Upcoming Events
ESC Bright Futures in Canada Conference
Toronto, Ontario
May, 2011
Skills/Compétences Canada - National Secretariat Event The 16th Canadian Skills Competition will be held in Waterloo, Ontario from May 20-23, 2010. Click here for more details.
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In Our Next Issue
NEWS... Dates of the Aboriginal Youth Camps
PLUS... Sponsorship information for the ESC 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference
AND... New feature volunteer | |
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