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Summer is over and Canada is getting back into the swing of things.  September is here and with its arrival comes the start of another school year and the approach of our 2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence.

 

This issue of our newsletter focuses on some important items:  the recent launch of EHRC's recruitment and communications campaign to increase the participation of women in the industry, the 2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence, and EHRC's membership packages. We also have a profile of one of EHRC's founding members, the Power Workers' Union, and a sneak peek at new EHRC services coming soon.


For articles on compensation and reward, working from home, employee development, networking, and mentorship, check out our articles of interest below.

2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence

 
October 24th 
- Toronto, ON - St. Andrew Club
 


 


 


Our exciting half day national event brings business leaders and human resource professionals together. The aim of this event is to connect, convene and inspire the industry by connecting employers, educators, and other industry stakeholders and providing a valuable group of speakers. It represents a unique opportunity to collaborate and learn with your peers.

 

We are pleased to announce new speakers added to the line-up:

  • Jennifer Smith, President, Intergage Solutions

Registration is now open. Get your ticket today!  Visit www.electricityhr.ca/2014-conference to learn more. 


 

Thank you to our sponsors:

 


















 


 

 

To become a sponsor, visit:  www.electricityhr.ca/sponsors/

Calling All Women! Join the Women of Power!

Since its inception, Electricity Human Resources Canada's Board has sought to bring together employers, educational institutions, and other interested stakeholders to address the issue of lower representation of women in the electricity and renewable energy industry. Engaging this under-represented group is, and remains, a priority for our organization.

 

Within our industry, women represent only a quarter of the electricity workforce, compared to the national average of 48%. In the trades, that number is much lower, a mere 4%.

 

While the proportion of women in the industry is rising, it remains well below the average for the Canadian workforce and reflects the general importance of attracting women to critical occupations such as engineers, engineering technicians, technologists and other skilled trades.

 

To proactively address this issue, EHRC reached out to industry for its support. And industry, in tandem with the Ontario and Alberta provincial governments, responded to the call to action.  This response took the form of our Bridging the Gap project.

 

With two phases involving interviews, focus groups, networking events, EHRC was able to gather valuable feedback and research around the issues and barriers that women face when working in the industry and when considering the industry as a possible career choice. During the research for this initiative we spoke to women currently working in the sector, and asked them what drove them to work, and stay, in our sector. We asked about the challenges they experienced, and the support they received along the way. Most importantly, we asked them what they loved about working their jobs and why we should be encouraging other women to consider a job" keeping the lights on" in Canada. We also heard from young women still in high school and post-secondary education, and learned from their perceptions of the industry and the career opportunities available. We spoke to employers and educators, and came away encouraged by the overwhelming support for this challenge.

 

You may have also seen our campaign promoting electrical occupations to women.  With advertisements in movie theatres, newspapers, and on public transit, we're encouraging women to learn more about what the industry has to offer and how they can benefit from working with our employers. We have developed a video series to help with this, hearing first hand from some of the amazing women working in our sector. We also developed a report specifically for employers, highlighting some of the challenges for women in the industry, as well as programs and case studies that are working across the country. 

 

   

 

Our CEO, Michelle Branigan has also been reaching out through the media with coverage from the Toronto Star, CBC, and CFRA.  Click here to read the article or to listen to the interviews.

 

A special thank you to our partners Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Hydro One, Employment Ontario, Alberta Advanced Education, and Engineers Canada, without whom this project would not have been possible.  

To learn more about the project or to view our tools, videos and resources, please visit http://electricityhr.ca/bridgingthegap


EHRC in the News

Read CEO Michelle Branigan's feature in Electricity Today where she speaks to "Human Resource Strategies - building powerful HR plans for Canada's utility workforce"


 

Breaking Down the Barriers
 

EHRC welcomes the news that four provinces have signed agreements that will facilitate the mobility of apprentices across their borders. On August 28th, the governments of British Columbia and New Brunswick signed an agreement which will allow apprentices to train and work in either province. By this fall apprentices will able to move freely between British Columbia and New Brunswick to take advantage of job opportunities which support their skills training in the trades. 

 

Meanwhile, Alberta and Nova Scotia have signed an agreement in principle to ensure apprenticeship training is transferable between both provinces. The agreement will allow for the recognition of apprenticeship work experience hours and enhance labour mobility for apprentices in both provinces. The two provinces are also working on an agreement that would make the process of moving between Nova Scotia and Alberta easier and less expensive for apprentices to continue their education.

Student Bursary For Wind Power Conference Announced 

Women of Wind Energy Canada (WoWE), in partnership with WiRE, is pleased to award three fellowships to women college or university students to attend the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) conference 2014 on October 27 - 29 in Montreal. This fellowship supports women to attend conference sessions and seminars on current wind energy issues, view state-of-the-art technology at the exhibition, meet women and men in the renewable energy sector, and connect with employers about potential internships or permanent positions.

The Fellowships, provided courtesy of CanWEA, are awarded based on demonstrated interest in renewable energy development, academic achievement, work experience and potential for future contributions to the renewable energy community. Read about eligibility and how to apply here (deadline October 1st):

 

 

EHRC - New Services, Stay Tuned 

 

Over the coming months EHRC will introduce, in association with selected partners, a series of new services including consulting services, workshops and webinars in areas such as change management, risk assessment, strategic planning, succession planning, talent management and performance measurement, amongst others.

 

Public image, the regulatory and policy environment, storage solutions, Smart Grid, renewable generation, aging infrastructure, and an aging workforce. These are all topics that we in the industry hear and discuss every day. As our industry tackles significant changes at all levels, the need becomes even greater to ensure that businesses also focus on the people working to support and implement those changes. Communicating and providing the right support tools are critical to ensure that any workforce initiative is successful and benefits the organisation overall.
 

At the end of the day success will depend on how responsive and adaptive organizations are to their changing environment - particularly the biggest barriers to change - organizational culture and the people who make up the workforce.

 

Watch for more details to come soon.

 

You may also contact Michelle Branigan directly at [email protected]  to discuss your organizational needs or book an initial consultation.

 

Membership 

 

A strong, competitive Canadian electricity economy is built on the strength of its people.  This vision is one shared by all of EHRC's partners.  Partnering with us means supporting collaborative efforts to ensure that our industry has the skilled workforce it needs to keep the lights on in Canada. Help the industry create and sustain a skilled and diverse labour force.

 

Join EHRC by becoming a member and you will contribute to this mission and engage with like-minded peers.  When you become a member, you are investing in the future of Canada`s electricity labour force .Members are given first option to join EHRC steering committees and lead the way on national initiatives that will benefit the industry overall.  Visit electricityhr.ca/become-a-member/ for more details.

 

 

EHRC Member Profile 

 

EHRC and our partners share a common vision; we believe a strong, competitive Canadian electricity economy is built on the strength of its people. Each issue of our newsletter will see one of these partners profiled.

 

 

 

For over 70 years, the 15,000 men and women of the Power Workers' Union (PWU) have delivered clean, affordable, safe and environmentally-responsible electricity to Ontario homes and businesses. The PWU represents the majority of workers in Ontario's electricity production and delivery sector through collective agreements with 50 employers. PWU members work at nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil fuel and wind generation companies, transmission and distribution companies, electrical research companies and regulatory agencies.


To learn more visit www.pwu.ca
 
Are you a member yet? Click here for details on how to join and support Canada's electricity workforce!

 

 

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Articles of Interest
Contact Us

2197 Riverside Drive  4th Floor, Suite 405 
Ottawa, ON  K1H 7X3
Phone: (613) 235-5540
Fax: (613) 235-6922

 

Upcoming Industry Events
 
2014 SmartGrid Canada Conference
October 1-3, 2014  Montreal

 

National Forum on Clean Energy and Industry

October 3, 2014

Ottawa, Ontario

 

EHRC 2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence

October 24th, 2014

Toronto


 

EHRC Annual General Meeting

October 24th, 2014

Toronto, 1:00 - 1:30pm 

(MEMBERS ONLY)


 

Canadian Wind Energy Association Conference 2014

October 27-29, 2014

Montreal
 

Canadian Solar Industry Association's Solar Canada 2014

December 8 and 9, 2014

Toronto, ON