The Supporting Line Trade Development project is a two-year initiative that began in January 2011. The objective of the research is to support and enhance the work of the line trade as it moves through a period of extensive technological change and growth in electrical grid operations. Effective training directly affects the ability of powerline technicians (PLT) to do their job safely and to more effectively adopt new technologies. The project is working on identifying the gap between training needs and availability across Canada for powerline technicians, and is also in the process of creating National Occupational Standards (NOS) for two key support roles: cable splicer and utility arborist.
A web-based toolkit is being developed and associated resources to support the industry and provincial authorities in building effective refresher training for post-journey powerline technicians.
The research for all aspects of this project was accomplished through focus group meetings with industry experts. The day-long meetings have been held from Halifax to Vancouver. It sounds like a clich� these days when you say someone has passion for their job, but all the participants want the electricity industry to be the best and are willing to share their time and experience to help that happen.
Participants included experienced professionals, industry trainers, and human resource experts. The full involvement of these dedicated professionals allowed us to have the very best information to build a practical and current web-based toolkit for post-journey PLT refresher training and to develop two very robust NOS for Utility Arborist and Cable Splicer. All of the participants found the networking aspect to be the most beneficial to them and some are still staying in touch and sharing best practices or getting opinions on safety clothing or other issues of interest. The findings will be released early in 2013 - stay tuned.
Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camps
Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp - Agassiz, BC
Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camp - Wikwemikong, ON
Summer of 2012 saw two more Bright Futures Aboriginal Youth Camps. The first was held in Agassiz, BC from July 16th to 20th. The second was in Wikwemikong, ON from August 20th to 24th.
We would like to thank the following sponsors without whom the camps would not have been possible: Engineers Canada, BC Hydro, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Ontario Power Authority, Power Workers' Union, and Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.
The ESC Goes International
The Electricity Sector Council's Senior Project Manager Diane Obam Dallaire will present an overview of the Council's renewable energy project Renewing Futures during a by invitation only workshop organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The workshop titled, International Energy Agency (IEA's) Implementing Agreement on Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (IEA-RETD): Capitalizing on Renewables- Short- and Medium-term Opportunities and Economic & Employment Benefits" will be hosted by Natural Resources Canada during the last week of September in Ottawa.
According to the IEA, "this renewable energy workshop will provide an overview of how different countries aim to capitalise on renewable energy." Further, different IEA-RETD policy cases will be presented by leading international researchers, as well as presentation on the employment and economic benefits of renewable energy technology deployment.
In addition to the Council's Chair Norm Fraser, several members of the Renewing Futures Steering Committee and consulting team will also attend the event and meet with IEA's Executive Committee.
Canadian Energy Person of the Year
The Canadian Energy Person of the Year serves as an ambassador of Canada's energy sector, demonstrating a clear vision and commitment to fostering the sustainable use and development of energy. At this year's Canadian Energy Person of the Year award celebration the Energy Council of Canada will be honouring Thierry Vandal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro Qu�bec. It will take place in Montreal at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel on October 10th, 2012.
To purchase single tickets, a table or to become a sponsor, please contact Brigitte Svarich at [email protected] or at (613) 232-5544.
Michelle Branigan (Executive Director) will be speaking at the Electricity Distributors Association Georgian Bay District Annual Meeting
September 21,2012
Muskoka, Ontario
Kevin Joseph (Project Manager) will be speaking at the CEA Aboriginal Relations Task Group
September 26, 2012
Vancouver, BC
Norm Fraser (Chair) and Michelle Branigan (Executive Director) will be speaking at the Smart Grid Canada Conference
October 15-16th
Toronto, Ontario