Issue # 15 December 2011
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Greetings!
It's time to start hanging the stockings above the chimney as the temperature gets colder and the holidays grow near. While the thoughts of holiday parties and family time begin to occupy your mind, it is also time to start giving thought to resolutions for the New Year. One to consider - make your work life easier. The Electricity Sector Council (ESC) continues to assist you, our stakeholders, in achieving your goals. Over the last five years the ESC has undertaken several initiatives to provide you with the tools and strategies to deliver on your organisation's goals. Whether attracting and retaining key talent, the capture of critical corporate knowledge or developing training programs for the workforce, there is something for everyone. 2011 has been a busy year for the ESC with many projects finishing and several new projects underway. Green energy is becoming an increasingly more important part of our industry and our new Building Bright Green Futures project will see a comprehensive human resources study of the renewable energy industry.Further, the project will also identify and document emerging trends and changing technologies in both the traditional side and renewable side of the industry. The findings are in from our 2011 Labour Market Information study "Power in Motion", available for purchase January 2012. Strongly supported by industry, the data represents over 75% of the electricity workforce. With 45,000 skilled workers required over the next five years, united action will be needed to meet unprecedented labour requirements. This report contains critical data that provides industry, educators, regulatory authorities and policy makers an in-depth and timely understanding of the human resource challenges that are affecting the sector. Scroll down the newsletter for some key highlights of the report. The ESC is not the only one who has been busy in 2011. Many of our stakeholders have been busy too. Inside the December newsletter we highlight some of the other industry news and events going on as we approach 2012. One of the ESC's New Year resolutions is to be more inclusive with its social media. Facebook and Twitter have become important tools in people's lives and are increasingly becoming an important source for knowledge. We would like to harness these tools to help our stakeholders' access industry news and information faster and easier. The Electricity Sector Council will use social media to provide the industry with sector-specific news, links, videos and data. So make sure you like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter so you don't miss out. 2012 will be the year for reflection, renewal and revision. Reflecting on all that has been learned in 2011, renewing our commitment to making the lives of our stakeholders easier and revising to ensure that we meet the needs of our workforce going forward. We here at the ESC, would like to wish you and your families a very happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in the New Year. Please note that the ESC office will be closing at 12:00 p.m. on December 23rd, and will re-open on January 3rd. Sincerely, 
Michelle Branigan
Executive Director
Electricity Sector Council
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KMIC Partnership & Stakeholder Analysis
ESC is pleased to announce a brand new collaborative partnership with the Knowledge Management Institute of Canada. With recent changes in the Sector Council program, the Electricity Sector Council is looking for new opportunities to deliver quality research, tools, and other services to our stakeholders. The Knowledge Management Institute of Canada (KMIC) is a training, learning and research institute dedicated to helping Canadian industries thrive in the global knowledge-based economy.
Over the coming months ESC will be working with KMIC to bring a range of new and exciting learning opportunities to you. This will be driven by the results of our first Stakeholder Needs Survey, the purpose of which is to gather feedback on client needs and expectations and measure the effectiveness of the Council.
Direct feedback from our stakeholders is imperative to help determine the relevance and responsiveness of the Council, and to ensure that the tools and resources being produced by the ESC are reflecting the needs of its stakeholders. The analysis will also help shape the direction of future projects and programs undertaken by the ESC. The survey is open until December 14th - click the link to access: http://svy.mk/rHSYVm
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Feature Projects
Power in Motion
ESC's "Power in Motion" 2011 Labour Market Information (LMI) Study reveals:
- 45,000 new skilled workers needed over next five years
- data on 30 critical electricity occupations with key information from 89 employer organizations and 47 post-secondary institutions in 140 labour markets
- a new LMI model which forecasts future labour market trends for each occupation
- the electricity and renewables sector's competitive advantages and an action plan
- how united action can maximize limited resources and make the most effective use of labour markets
There are tens of thousands of skilled and soon-to-be skilled workers this industry MUST hire to continue delivering reliable electricity to Canadian homes and businesses to meet the Canadian economy's energy needs.
These workers will be refurbishing the aging Legacy infrastructure, building and operating the Next Generation infrastructure, enabling the transition to renewable resources, and replacing a rising wave of experienced retirees.
With expected investments of almost $300 billion over the next 20 years, this massive transformation is already gaining momentum. It is creating unprecedented labour demands, just when Canada has a limited skilled labour supply. These conditions create the most severe skills shortages and labour market challenges that the industry may have ever faced.
Projections from 2011 to 2016 focus on the need to attract immigrants and workers from other industries. Other employers, though, are looking for the same workers such as engineers, technicians and technologists, and skilled trades with five or more years of experience. Electricity and renewable sector employers looking for these candidates will face stiff competition.
These are some of the findings emerging from ESC's 2011 Labour Market Information Study. This report will enhance your decision-making capability and facilitate workforce planning decisions on based on strong supply and demand forecast data for the electricity and renewable labour force. Recommendations include appropriate actions to mitigate the effects of a rapidly changing labour market.
The 2011 LMI Report will be available for purchase January 31, 2012.
We would like to thank those program partners whose early support made the undertaking of this study possible, and who have received advanced copies of the report:
ATCO Electric, Horizon Utilities Corporation, ATCO Power, Hydro One Inc., Battle River Rural Electrification Association, Hydro Ottawa, BC Hydro, Nalcor Energy, City of New Westminster Electricity Utility, Ontario Power Generation, Énergie NB Power, St. Thomas Energy Services, ENMAX Corporation, Toronto Hydro Corporation, FortisBC, Yukon Energy, Alberta Electric System Operator, Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc.
For more information on how you can purchase your copy, please contact:
info@brightfutures.ca
Training and Learning Development (TLD)
November 22nd saw the launch of www.brightfutures.ca/training. The TLD project website shares practical and valuable information to help organizations increase their training capacity, and contains discussions of the common challenges and barriers organizations face when addressing their training and development needs.
Perhaps most notable on the website is an extensive section profiling exemplary training practices already in place at utilities across the country. These training profile videos capture the unique solutions individual organizations have implemented successfully and are a great tool for organizations that may face similar challenges. Find these videos, from utilities coast to coast, under the Training Profile section of the TLD website.
Building Bright Green Futures (BBGF)
The Electricity Sector Council is excited to announce the start of its new project, Building Bright Green Futures (BBGF). This project will see the undertaking of a comprehensive nationwide industry study that will examine the challenges and opportunities faced by the renewable energy sub-sector in Canada. The research will then be used to develop a pro-active HR strategy and sector-specific recommendations to meet current and future workforce needs in this important sub-sector.
This project, funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, will run from 2011 to 2014 and will be managed by the ESC's newest team member, Diane Obam Dallaire. Diane has joined the Council as a Senior Project Manager and is familiar with sector council work as she has worked previously for the Canadian Plastics Sector Council. Also joining Diane on the project as Chair of the steering committee is Ted Kantrowitz, Vice President of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. Additional members of the steering committee will be comprised of key stakeholders form the electricity sector and renewable energy sub-sector and educational institutions.
For information on this project or how you can get involved, please contact Diane Obam Dallaire: obamdallaire@brightfutures.ca Diagnostic of Aboriginal Procurement Strategies (DAPS)
The ESC has received funding from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC, formerly INAC) to engage the industry in a diagnostic of procurement policies in the electricity and renewable energy industry with relation to Aboriginal communities. This project will look at the current procurement policies that exist and identify possible opportunities for industry to engage with Aboriginal businesses. It will also capture examples of successful partnerships and lead to the development of an Aboriginal procurement strategy template, as well as a greater understanding by employers of the benefits of having an Aboriginal procurement strategy in place.
The Diagnostic of Aboriginal Procurement Strategies project began in December and will run until March of 2012. The steering committee is a cross section of representatives from across the country from both employers and labour.
If your organization has an Aboriginal procurement strategy in place for us to consider, please contact the Project Manager, Kevin Joseph: joseph@brightfutures.ca
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Industry News
Women in Nuclear (WiN-Canada) and Skills Canada - Ontario announce the launch of their position paper: "Women Working in the Skilled Trades and Technologists - Myths and Realities"
This paper addresses the shortage of female workers in such sectors as industrial, motive power, construction, and technology. In addition to dispelling misconceptions about opportunities for women in these fields, the publication contains supporting data and suggestions for government, educators and industry. The paper identifies the myths and realities around women working in the skilled trades and technologies and offers recommendations for positive change that will entice women into looking at the skilled trades and technologies as a first-choice career option.
Ontario College of Trades Board Chooses Chair, Registrar-Chief Executive Officer Hired
The Ontario College of Trades (OCT) Board of Governors has chosen a Chair and a permanent Registrar-Chief Executive Officer has been named. Ron Johnson, Deputy Director of Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario and Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre, has been elected as the Chair of the Ontario college of Trades' Board of Governors.
Also joining as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer for the College is Bob Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
World Energy Council ranks Canada 5th overall in the WEC's Assessment of Energy and Climate Policies
The World Energy Council released its third annual Assessment of Energy and Climate Policies. This document ranks 90 WEC members based on their policies in support of energy supply, social equity and environmental impact mitigation. Canada received the ranking of 5th place overall. Specifically, Canada placed top in energy supply and in the top 10 for equity. The report also examines a range of policies that address the issues of cleaner mobility, energy efficiency and innovative financing mechanisms to support the replacement and expansion of energy infrastructure.
WorkSafeBC Unveils Online Safety Portal for Apprentices, EmployersTransformational Leadership
Working as an apprentice or in the trades in the province of British Columbia? Get the health and safety resources you need via
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Apprenticeships/Home.asp
Recently launched by WorkSafeBC, this website is an online tool to help workers get the information they need quickly and easily. "The very first requirement employers have of any new apprentice is a sound understanding of workplace safety," says Kevin Evans, CEO of the ITA. "This new resource will enhance employability in addition to making for safer workplaces."
The web portal houses a variety of resources including regulations, guidelines, video, publications, articles, posters, safety meeting guides, and more
National Energy Board sees growth in renewable by 2035
 In a report released in November, the National Energy Board (NEB) said that Canada's energy supply will reach record levels and will be capable of providing Canadians with adequate energy to meet the demand. Fossil Fuels will still be a dominant source of energy but renewable energy will play a bigger role, increasing to 67 per cent in 2035.
The report also states that not only will the share of energy provided by renewable sources increase but, specifically, wind will grow from 1 per cent to 6 per cent by 2035. The demand growth for energy by residential, commercial, and transportation sectors will slow down by 0.1 per cent caused by slowing population growth, higher energy prices, lower economic growth, and enhanced efficiency and conservation programs but this will be partially offset by industrial-sector demand growth.
To view the report and detailed data used to develop it, visit the Energy Reports section on the main page of the NEB website at www.neb-one.gc.ca.
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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| 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
The CCWESSTT 14th National Conference
The Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) is hosting their 14th National conference in Halifax in May of 2012. For more information, please visit: www.ccwestt2012.ca
CNA Conference and Trade Show 2012
The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) will be holding its annual conference and trade show on February 22-24, 2012 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, ON.
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In Our Next Issue MORE highlights from the 2011 LMI data...
PLUS... The launch of our employer roadmap for recruiting Internationally Trained Workers
AND... What you told us in our first annual Stakeholder Needs survey!
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