Issue # 10 December 2010
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Greetings!
Family gatherings and holiday festivities are just around the corner, and hopefully everyone has transitioned effortlessly into winter mode. As fall is always a busy time for most organizations, I'm certain you can attest that the cold days to come will be less of a burden knowing that some holiday vacation time is approaching.
As the year draws to a close and we look forward in anticipation to the holidays and time spent with our family and friends, I would like to announce my retirement from Hydro One and my position as Chair of the ESC's Board of Directors. It has been a wonderful experience being a part of the Council since its inception, and witnessing its positive contribution to the electricity and renewable energy sector. I've seen firsthand how important the Council's projects are to the growth of the current and future industry workforce. This would not be possible without our many volunteers throughout Canada who dedicate their time to our projects, and I thank each and every one of them for their participation. I feel confident in the Council's future endeavours and know that they will continue doing excellent work in the future.
The ESC has been keeping busy with new project developments, networking activities and the planning of the 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference. The highly successful Labour Market Information project is once again being undertaken by the Council. The 2008 study results will be updated through extensive research in order to bring informative and practical workforce data to participating organizations. In this newsletter, you will learn how your organization can benefit by getting involved with the 2011 study. You will also find information about the Council's upcoming 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference and how you can now register online!
A new section has been added to the newsletter in order to highlight the successful Career Focus Initiative. Thus far, ESC's ongoing Career Focus has assisted in placing over 40 graduates with companies throughout Canada. This new section will feature a different company in each newsletter and will highlight the mutual benefits for both the employer and hired graduate.
The Council is eager to bring in the New Year as we'll have more undertakings to share with you, our stakeholders. On behalf of the ESC's Board of Directors and staff team in Ottawa, I wish you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season.
Once again, I would like to say thank you and farewell.
Tom Goldie Chair, Electricity Sector Council Board of Directors Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, Hydro One Inc.
Hydro One Inc. is the largest electricity transmission and distribution company in Ontario, and own and operate substantially all of Ontario's electricity transmission system, accounting for about 96% of Ontario's transmission capacity as measured by revenues.
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Feature Projects
Labour Market Information 2011 - A Great Opportunity for Your Business
Having just embarked on a new Labour Market Information (LMI) study, ESC is pleased to be working with Prism Economics and Analysis in producing updated LMI in support of industry's need for rapid and responsive workforce planning data. Specializing in economic forecasting with a sector-level human resources planning focus, Prism Economics and Analysis will be working with ESC to survey ers and educational institutions in early 2011. This updated data will provide industry with information on the most up to date issues and statistics impacting the sector and the subsequent implications for the labour supply-demand gap.
ESC has embarked on this initiative thanks, in part, to the overwhelming support of industry - organizations partnering with ESC receive a wide-range of program benefits including two months advance access to the research results. To learn more about getting involved with the LMI Program and how your organization can benefit, please click here. The deadline for current partnership opportunities is December 31, 2010, therefore please contact us for more information.
ESC is also appreciative of the on-going financial support from Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC) Canada - again, this study would not be possible without their support as well.
The 2008 "Powering Up the Future" report was widely accepted by Industry as the most accurate and comprehensive labour market information available for our sector, and has proven to be the information industry consults to support and inform workforce planning and development initiatives.
Visit the 2008 LMI Website here. Register NOW for the 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference "Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Workforce"
Once again, the ESC will bring together industry for two days of informative and interactive sessions highlighting solutions for current and future electricity and renewable energy HR needs. Next year's Bright Futures in Canada Conference, entitled "Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Workforce", will be held from May 24 - 26, 2011 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel. Delegates will hear from industry experts on topics such as workforce planning; green technologies; attraction and recruitment of underrepresented groups; and training and learning development for the current and future workforce. This is your chance to gain and share valuable knowledge with your peers from across the country which is always an invaluable advantage of attending industry events such as the Bright Futures in Canada Conference.
Keynote speakers include: -The Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario
- Robert Watson, President and CEO, SaskPower - Dr. Nick Bontis, Leading Strategy & Management Expert - Phil Flemming, International Vice President First District, Canada, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Whether you work in a large business, labour organization, educational institution, government, media, or simply have an interest in the current and future electricity and renewable energy workforce, you will leave the Conference with practical information and bring back fresh ideas to your respective jobs. This is your time to learn, share, and network! For complete event details, please visit the conference website. To register for the conference, please click here. Excellent Partnership Opportunities Still Available!To join an already exclusive list of partners, please click here to view the current partnership opportunities and associated benefits. If you have any questions or would like to become a partner, please contact Julianne Robicheau at 613-235-5540 or by email at [email protected].
Electrical Trades Orientation Program - Pilot Aboriginal Adult Initiative to take place in Labrador in the New Year
Through the ESC's Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), the College of the North Atlantic is partnering with Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership Council (LATP ) and ESC to deliver a 14-week Electrical Trades Orientation Program in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. 15 Aboriginal candidates will be selected to participate and will be exposed to the basic technical knowledge and hands-on skills in the following areas:
-Powerline Technican -Industrial Electrician-Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)-Power System OperatorIn addition, students will gain basic knowledge of subjects such as safety and other essential trade skills as well as career and workplace skills. The program's tentative start date is January 10, 2011 and is open to male and female applicants who either have a high school diploma, Adult Basic Education, or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and have been out of secondary school for at least one year). College applications are submitted directly to LATP representatives - to get contact information, please contact us. For any further information, please contact Lisa Saunders, Admissions Officer, College of the North Atlantic, phone: 709-896-6304.
Knowledge Management and Transfer Project Web Portal to Launch Next Month
The Knowledge Management and Transfer (KMAT) Project is now in its final stages which means the Council will be releasing a new report and more useful tools for stakeholders. The report is designed to provide organizations in the electricity sector - be they large or small, advanced in the implementation of KM/KT practices or just getting started - with everything from an explanation of KM/KT to information on how to develop and implement KM/KT processes within your organization. The KMAT Web Portal will launch in January, 2011 and will feature:-Definitions of Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer -Communication materials for securing company-wide buy-in -An extensive toolkit filled with tools and resources for every step of the process -Examples and case studies of emerging and innovative KM/KT practices Be sure to check the Council's website regularly to keep up-to-date with our activities and to get a first look at the highly anticipated KMAT Web Portal. For more information on the KMAT project, click here.
ESC moving forward with new supports for industry in the area of Foreign Credential Recognition
ESC has just partnered with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on a new initiative to help industry with the recruitment and retention of internationally trained workers. Following recommendations from ESC's "2008 Review of Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada's Electricity Sector", ESC is moving forward in developing practical supports for industry in this area. ESC will continue to ensure that industry has an understanding around why this group of workers is important to include as part of an overall recruitment strategy, and will also work to develop a resource kit to support recruitment and retention efforts. Work for this initiative will begin early in 2011. For more information about how you can get involved, please contact Kevin Joseph, Junior Project Manager, at [email protected].
Training and Learning Development Project Survey Targets Training Leaders
A survey targeted to training managers and directors was sent out in late November. The purpose of this survey is to collect information regarding trainer qualifications and training capacity management within the industry. The results will be analyzed along with other primary and secondary research conducted within the scope of the project. Following an analysis of survey results, ESC is looking to develop a matrix of instructor qualifications as well as a training capacity strategic framework for industry action that will provide practical and tactical solutions to support the increase in training efforts that will result from project retirements within the industry. For more information on the TLD project, please click here.
Join an ESC Provincial/Regional Working Groups
One of the deliverables of the Council's past initiative, Building Connectivity Project, was to bring together industry stakeholders and create provincial/regional working groups. The intention of the working groups is to create collaborative action on workforce issues that are being dealt with from coast-to-coast, but more specifically province-specific. The ESC considers these consultative groups extremely beneficial when seeking industry input on various matters. If you are interested in joining or learning more about your provincial/regional group, please contact us at [email protected] or 613-235-5540. For more information on the completed Building Connectivity Project, please click here.
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Industry News
Female Leaders in Electricity among 100 Most Powerful Women
Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa, and BC Hydro have one thing in common when it comes to Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100. These three large electricity organizations each have a female representative that was recognized in this year's list of most powerful women inductees. Congratulations to the following three female leaders for their achievement:
- Bev Van Ruyven, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President, BC Hydro - Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One Inc. - Rosemarie LeClair, President and CEO, Hydro Ottawa - Read Ottawa Citizen article here. The Women's Executive Network releases its list of powerful women annually and received over 300 nominations from across the country this year. Click here to read the Financial Post article. Canadian Electricity Association Recognizes Hydro One Networks Inc. and Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited for Excellence in Sustainability Performance
Hydro One Networks Inc. and Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited were recognized for outstanding performance on sustainable development under the Canadian Electricity Association's (CEA) Sustainable Electricity program. The 2009 Sustainable Electricity Awards, adjudicated by the program's independent Public Advisory Panel, recognize best sustainability performers in environmental, social, and company of the year categories. Hydro One was selected as recipient of the 2009 Sustainability Company of the Year Award for its outstanding performance in all three areas of sustainable development - environment, social, and economic. To read the full article, click here.
If you have any industry news you'd like to see here, please contact us at (613)235-5540, or email us at [email protected].
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Michelle Laurie Steering Steering Committee Member, ESC Training and Learning Development Project and President, IBEW Local 258
Motivation for Volunteering - As a labour leader involved in the Utility Sector in Canada, Michelle has a heightened awareness of the need to ensure there are ongoing, viable and relevant training programs available to bring new workers in to these rewarding positions. Ensuring that there is a broad awareness for young people when they are forming ideas about career paths is critical, since utility careers are not high profile with the general public, and yet are rewarding and critical to our society. In order to sustain a safe, satisfied and effective workforce, being able to contribute in any way to ensure that these programs meet the needs of working people is key to Michelle. Background - Michelle is a Red Sealed, journeyperson Electrician, having served her apprenticeship in the mining industry in British Columbia. For the past 15 years, she has been actively working for her union, Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in positions ranging from training coordinator at their trade school, to organizer, to Shop Steward trainer, to Workers' Compensation advocate. For the past 8 years, Laurie has held the role of elected President of the Local of about 4000 members, working in the utility, powerline maintenance and construction, tree trimming, manufacturing and traffic control industries, and encompassing apprentices in several related red seal and provincial programs. In addition, for those same eight years, she has been President of the local's trades training school, the Electrical Industry Training Institute.
Personal life - Mother of four, grandmother of five - one of life's most incredible rewards, and also five reasons for her passion about ensuring good jobs are available long into the future!
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Career Focus Initiative Showcase
Company Name: PowerStream Inc. Graduate Hired: Josh Bowins, recent graduate of the 3 year Electrical Engineering Technology diploma program from Georgian College Position within organization: AppreCompantice System Controller Supervisor: Doug Kirkham, Supervisor, System Control
Carolyn Windsor, Human Resources Manager at PowerStream Inc., answers a few questions:
Carolyn, can you briefly explain how your organization heard about Career Focus?
I attended an Electricity Sector Council conference, held in Toronto in 2009, where I learned about the program.
How has the program been beneficial to both the employee and the company?
| Josh Bowins and Doug Kirkham |
With the financial reimbursement for participating in the program, we are in a unique position to offset the salary of a new recruit who otherwise may not have an opportunity to join our organization. It truly compliments our recruiting strategy to be able to draw such a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds and training. The high number of universities and colleges involved from across Ontario provides a wide spectrum of talent from which many successful applicants have emerged. It is an excellent opportunity for both the new employee and the organization. The graduate receives gainful employment in his or her chosen field, and the opportunity to learn and develop skills in a positive work-environment. We benefit from attracting some very bright, enthusiastic people who come to PowerStream ready to contribute. Recognizing that there is a growing gap between the demands for utilities and the highly-skilled workers to carry out that demand, this program provides an excellent resource pool for the organization.
Was the process of getting involved easy, and would you recommend it to other companies that might be interested?
Yes! The Electricity Sector Council staff (especially Leigh-Anne Donovan, Career Focus Project Coordinator) has been very helpful and so supportive. Each member has worked hard to ensure that the process is seamless. The website is very user-friendly and all forms and information are easily downloadable. The sample Learning Development Plan was of great help when we were creating our own development plan. I would not hesitate to recommend this valuable program to employers who are seeking bright, young minds to enhance their own organization.
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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 representatives made the following presentations at industry events over the months of September to early December:
December 7 - Canadian Solar Industries Association's (CanSIA) Solar Canada 2010 Conference & Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
October 28 & 29 - Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) HR Committee Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario
October 20 - Presented to a Chinese delegation at the offices of Canadian Electricity Association, Ottawa, Ontario
September 23 - Canadian Utilities Compensation and Benefits Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec
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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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What's New
Interested in joining our provincial/regional working groups Email us for more info.
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Upcoming Events
Electrical Trades Orientation Program - Pilot Aboriginal Adult Initiative
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador
January 10, 2011 (tentative start date)
Toronto, Ontario
May 24-26, 2011
University of Windsor - Energy Management Course
Mississauga, Ontario
January 17-19, 2011
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In Our Next Issue
NEWS... New ESC initiatives
PLUS... Update on ESC 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference
AND... New feature volunteer and Career Focus highlight |
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