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Issue # 13                                                                                           June 2011 
 Greetings!

Summer has finally set in, and before everyone starts to take off on vacations at the cottage or road trips here and there, the Council would like to quickly update you on its recent activities. Not only have we just delivered a successful, national conference in Toronto, but we also have important project information to share.

 

First off, we'd like to thank our stakeholders and sponsors who attended and supported the 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference which took place in May. From the knowledgeable speakers who addressed our guests to the informative exhibit booths set up throughout the foyer, delegates found the conference to be an exceptional learning experience. On behalf of the ESC's Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate the ESC team for putting together such a well-executed event. Read on in this newsletter to get the full report.

 

In other ESC news, the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative continues to keep the Council busy with its many exciting activities. From the recently held youth camp in Croker, Ontario to an update on the now complete Electrical Trades Orientation Program - the pre-apprenticeship program for adults - which took place in Newfoundland and Labrador. We'll also provide you with an update on the 2011 Labour Market Information (LMI) project whose preliminary results were shared with delegates at the conference.

 

As one of the newest ESC board members - I joined in September of last year - I would like to say how wonderful it is to see the research and work of the Council being used and appreciated by our industry across the country.

 

I wish you all a safe and happy summer.

 

Sincerely,

 GSchmidt Signature
Greg Schmidt
President
Energy Council Canada 
  

The Energy Council of Canada (www.energy.ca) is the Canadian Member Committee of the World Energy Council. With over 75 members from Canada's energy sector, they are a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of our national energy strategy.

 


Feature Projects

 
Norm Fraser_2011 Conference
ESC Chair of the Board of Directors, Norm Fraser, opens the Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Workforce conference, held in May in Toronto.

 

ESC CONFERENCE LEAVES DELEGATES WANTING MORE

 

"Speaker content very timely; I learned a great deal about HR concerns and challenges in today's world in energy..."

 

"Good format - lots of familiar faces and networking opportunities; practical approach for today's challenges; showcase for valuable work of the ESC..."

 

"Look forward to next one..."

 

Those were among the comments from delegates to the ESC's recent Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Workforce conference. The conference brought together representatives from industry, government, unions, and educational institutions gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto May 24-26 to hear from an impressive line up of speakers, network with colleagues, and learn from interactive workshops.

 

Highlights included a speech from Ontario's Minister of Energy, the Honourable Brad Duguid, on Ontario's electricity and renewable energy industry and the implementation of the Green Energy Act. Dr. Nick Bontis, a strategy and management expert was a hit with his motivational talk. A reminder of his recommended action items can be found here: http://www.NickBontis.com/BrightFutures.htm

 

Ken Noble President and CEO Nigig Power Corporation, spoke about the Henvey Island First Nation Wind Project and the significant challenges such a project must overcome.

 
Cheryl Cottrill_Conference 2011 

Through workshops on workforce planning, training and learning development, attraction and recruitment, and building bright green futures, participants gleaned the latest strategies for developing a skilled, safe and sustainable workforce now and in the future.

 

Conference presentations will be available on the ESC website by the end of June.

 

Electrical Business Magazine Editor Anthony Capkun covered the conference and posted live to the magazine's twitter feed which can be viewed here:  http://bit.ly/k0pNRW

 

ESC's BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

ESC is pleased to announce a number of new appointments to the Council's Board of Directors: Carolle Berlinguette (Leviton), Vivian Yoanidis (Hydro One) and John Ives (Power Worker's Union). 

Internationally Trained Workers

At the heart of this project is an "immigration kit" to help industry employers meet their labour needs by enhancing understanding of employment practices that support recruitment and retention of internationally trained workers (ITWs).

 

Initially, ESC will share knowledge with electricity sector employers about the potential of and need for internationally trained workers. The resource kit will then adapt components of existing sector council and government ITW recruitment and retention guides in order to make them specific to the electricity and renewable energy industry.  The kit will also contain provincial and territorial specific resources and regulations as well as examine best and emerging practices that currently exist within the industry for recruiting and retaining ITWs.

 

This is a one year project scheduled to conclude in January 2012 and is being undertaken in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.  Both printed and online materials will be made available to stakeholders.

 

For more information on the Internationally Trained Workers project, please contact Kevin Joseph at (613) 235-5540 or by email at [email protected]

Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative

ESC invites interested stakeholders who would like to be featured in the resource section of our new Aboriginal website to contact Kevin Joseph at [email protected].  The site will be launched Sept. 20 and, as a resource for career-seekers, ESC would like to provide links to employers that have a dedicated contact person or a dedicated Aboriginal recruitment section on their own websites.  As a resource for employers who may be undertaking recruitment drives, we would also like to provide links to aboriginal organizations or representatives who work with career-seekers.  

Aboriginal Youth Camps

Croker Camp_Group Pic

Students from the Cape Croker/Nawash Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp held this spring.

The Aboriginal Youth Camps continue to attract much interest and praise from participants. Since our last newsletter ESC has held two camps. The first was in Saugeen back in March over the school break.  Fifteen children attended the week-long camp from March 14th to 18th.

 

The second ran from May 24th to June 10th in Nawash.  This camp differed from previous ones in that it was held during school.  The programming went for 10 days over a three-week period.  Twenty-seven young boys and girls from Cape Croker Elementary School - Grades 4 to 7 - attended.

 

In a letter to ESC, sponsor representative, Paul Douglas, from the Power Worker's Union writes: "...The program is a wonderful way of showing the youth of today the interesting ways we can work with science, electricity, and to combine their efforts as a team to achieve the goals set out by the instructor's. This camp was truly all the more successful due to the help from the community and their involvement in assisting the instructor's with the delivery of the daily activities. I am very impressed..."

 

Camp activities include building solar cars, dancing robots, exploring how electricity is created, how to create a series circuit, and much more.

 

The ESC extends a big thank you to our sponsors:  Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Power Workers' Union, Hydro One, Ontario Power Authority, Engineers Canada, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Bruce Power, and the Aboriginal Human Resource Council.

 

Electrical Trades Orientation Program

The program wrapped up in April with nine successful graduates.  Participants covered safety training and soft skills required for employment in the Electricity and Renewables industry as well as covering in depth the requirements for four occupations identified by Nalcor as needed in that region.  These four occupations included Power Line Technician, Industrial Electrician, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) and Power Systems Operator. We had great support from Nalcor Energy and the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership without whom this pilot program would not have been possible.

 

2011 Labour Market Information (LMI)

Study

The electricity sector's much-anticipated LMI update is almost complete and we would like to thank those of you who participated in the research. ESC is now working on the final report which will released to all LMI program partners in the fall of 2011.  Those who have not joined the program as a partner will have access to the results in early 2012.  For more information on how you can join the program, please contact: Debra Beauregard at [email protected].  You can view the LMI website at: www.brightfutures.ca/lmi/en/index.html

 

 

Training and Learning Development

Through this project, ESC is looking to recommend practical and tactical supports for the internal training function.  Guided by a Steering Committee representative of industry trainers as well as those responsible for the training function, draft recommendations were presented at a well attended and interactive session at the ESC Bright Futures in Canada conference.  Session attendees had their say and a prioritization of recommendations was completed.

 

The final recommendations will be produced along with the project final report and will be available early fall 2011.  Additional project deliverables will also be available including a web portal profiling exemplary approaches to training.

 

 

For information on other ESC's projects visit our website at www.brightfutures.ca.  

 



Industry News

Energy Person of the Year Award

 

The Energy Council of Canada established the Canadian Energy Person of the Year award 11 years ago.  The Canadian Energy Person of the Year Award recognizes and pays tribute to leaders who have made a significant contribution to Canada's energy industry nationally and internationally.  It is with pleasure that we announce that the 2011 recipient of this award is Rick George, President and CEO of Suncor Energy Inc.

 

For information on sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact Krystal Piamonte, A/Director of Operations, Energy Council of Canada, at [email protected], or by phone at 613-232-5544. 

 

Sustainability Award

 

Horizon Utilities Corporation has won the Sustainability Company of the Year Award for 2010 for its overall leadership and innovation with respect to all three pillars of sustainable development. Horizon was among four companies receiving recognition by Canadian Electricity Association during Canadian Environment Week.   For more information:  http://www.electricity.ca/media/news/2010SEAwardWinners_NewsRelease_June2011_E-final.pdf


Energy exhibition

 

The Canada Science and Technology Museum opens its energy exhibition, June 10 in Ottawa, entitled: Energy: the power to choose. For more information: 

www.centreforenergy.com/AboutEnergy

Water summit

The Canadian Water Summit is a first-of-its-kind conference in Canada, fulfilling the need for idea exchange and collaboration between diverse stakeholders at the forefront of shaping Canada's sustainable water future. The conference was held at the International Centre, Toronto, June 14. For more information, click here:

http://www.watersummit.ca

 

Response to Fukushima

 

The U.S. nuclear energy industry announced that it has created a leadership structure among major electric sector organizations to integrate and coordinate the nuclear industry's ongoing response to the Fukushima Daiichi accident that followed Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  For more information: http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&id=156849

 

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]. 

  

 

 

 Volunteer Profile

 

 

 

LynnMeloney

Lynn Meloney

 

Chair of ESC's Internationally Trained Worker Project and

HR Specialist - Learning and Development, Emera Utility Services

 

Motivation for volunteering: 
Volunteering in all facets of her life has been very important to Lynn from a very young age, whether it be for sports, health related causes or work related. Since coming to Emera Utility Services she has been fortunate to have many great people volunteer their time to help her in many areas of her new role, so when she has the opportunity she also likes to work to make things easier by sharing and volunteering her time with others in similar industries and roles.    

 

Background:

Lynn came to Emera Utility Services in May of 2009. In her role as HR Specialist - Training and Development Lynn works with Apprentices, Aboriginal and International employees; as well as overseeing training and development needs for all employees at Emera Utility Services. Prior to EUS, she worked for the Mi'kmaq College Institute of Cape Breton University as an Aboriginal Program Coordinator. Lynn graduated from the Cape Breton University with a double major in Communication and Political Science and is currently completing her Masters in Adult Education specializing in Aboriginal Education from St. Francis Xavier University.     

 

Personal life:

While work and her studies tend to keep Lynn pretty busy, in her down time she can often be found exploring the great city of Halifax or playing a sport. Lynn's favorite sport to play is hockey, whether it is on the ice or on the court.  In the off-season, Lynn likes to get away to her family cottage in Cape Breton to relax. 

 

 

 

 Career Focus Initiative Showcase

 Pulse Energy Logo 

Company Name: 

Pulse Energy

 

Graduate Hired:     Abrelyn Malapad was hired in April of 2010. Abrelyn is an excellent employee, showing initiative from the outset to improve internal processes, as well as delivering exceptional customer service to our clients.     

Supervisor:
 
Dan Gunn, Customer Success Team Lead       

 

How did you hear about Career Focus?  

Pulse Energy was informed of the program by the Electricity Sector Council's E-newsletter which we're subscribed to.

 

Was the process of getting involved easy, and would you recommend it to other companies that might be interested?  

The process of getting involved was extremely easy and I would certainly recommend other companies getting involved in the program.

 

How has the program been beneficial to both the employee and the company?  

Abrelyn's background in Engineering combined with her customer-focused approach has made her a valuable member of the Customer Success team since her first day. With her collaborative and inclusive approach along with her excellent interpersonal skills and easy-going nature Abrelyn is a pleasure to work with.

 

Pulse Energy - Abrelyn
Abrelyn Malapad with Pulse Energy colleagues Dan and Doris.

Her previous work experience in the Energy Consulting area has brought a valuable perspective to the team when it comes time to supporting not only Pulse Energy's customers but also the Product Management team here at Pulse Energy.

 

 

*Through the Government of Canada's Sector Youth Career Focus Program, the ESC has been providing wage subsidies to small and medium-sized companies that offer employment to recent engineering and technical graduates. For one year, employers may receive funding that amounts to one-third of a new worker's base salary to a maximum of $10,000.

  

Resources  

Electricity Sector Council - www.brightfutures.ca

Energy Council of Canada - www.energy.ca  

Electrical Business Magazine (Twitter Feed) - http://bit.ly/k0pNRW

Canadian Electricity Association - www.electricity.ca

Centre for Energy - www.centreforenergy.com

Canadian Water Summit - www.watersummit.ca

Emera Utility Services - www.emerautilityservices.com 

Pulse Energy - www.pulseenergy.com

 

 

Contact Us
 
Address: 130 Slater Street, Suite 600
Ottawa, ON  K1P 6E2
Phone: (613) 235-5540
Fax: (613) 235-6922
In This Issue
Feature Projects
Industry News
Volunteer Profile
Career Focus Showcase
Resources
Contact Us
What's New
Upcoming Events
In Our Next Issue

What's New

ESC's 2011 Bright Futures in Canada Conference

Presentations available on the ESC website now!


Interested in joining our provincial/ regional working groups? E-mail us for more info.
 

 Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook


Upcoming Events
 
Lac Seul Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp - August 2011

 

  
In Our Next Issue
 
NEWS... ESC project updates 
 
PLUS... The launch of ESC's Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative 

AND... New feature volunteer and Career Focus highlight