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As we wind down 2014, the team and Board of Directors at Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) would like to wish you and your families a very happy and safe Christmas holiday season and a happy New Year.

 

If you haven't done so in a while, take some time to check out our website to see the research and tools developed to support Canada's electricity sector workforce. All EHRC projects and programs are undertaken based on the feedback we receive from you and we always work with industry partners to design and implement our initiatives. These partners assist in numerous ways, whether sitting on steering committees, acting as research participants, or providing financial support. We'd like to say thank you for your support over the last year and look forward to working with you in 2015!

 

This year saw the development of an occupational standard and skills profile for trainers working specifically in our sector. This standard was developed entirely based on existing materials and input from industry stakeholders across the country in a comprehensive series of interviews, focus groups, and reviews. To view this standard, as well as others developed by EHRC, visit: http://electricityhr.ca/nos.

 

Also, this year, EHRC launched the results of our Bridging the Gap project. This critical initiative looked at the underrepresentation of women in our industry, and what needs to be done to get more women attracted to trades and technical positions. With under 5% of women working in the trades, and under 25% in the sector overall, it's obvious we still have a long road ahead of us. The good news is that industry has shown overwhelming support to tackle this need.

 

During our research we spoke with hundreds of women , including employees, employers and young women at the high school, college, and university level. We reached out through movie theatre, transit, and newspaper advertisements and developed a video series to inform women and young girls of the career opportunities in electricity. For employers we developed a report that also captures suggestions from women as to what employers can do, and highlights innovative practices from across the country as organisations look to engage and advance women into non- traditional occupations.

To learn more about the project and access the tools we have developed, visit: http://electricityhr.ca/bridgingthegap.

We would like to thank Engineers Canada, Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One, Employment Ontario and the Alberta government, without whom this project would not have been possible. 

 

2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence


 

On October 24th, EHRC held its 2014 HR Forum and Awards of Excellence at St Andrew's Club in Toronto. Dedicated to the electricity and renewable energy industry workforce, this national event brought together employers, labour, education, and government representatives working for and with the sector. 

Four key themes emerged: Leadership, Diversity, Culture, and Communication. As our industry goes through changes - mergers, technological advancement, and renewable integration - constant transformation is now becoming the norm and not the exception, not only in the organization but in their communities. Also a hot topic were the challenges and opportunities that arise when managing a workforce that now finds itself with three to four generations working together. 

Attendees heard about and discussed the benefits and opportunities for transitioning military veterans into the sector. A number of companies went away enthusiastic about further discussion with Helmets to Hardhats and Canada Company, two organizations dedicated to helping those who have served (or are currently serving) to transition to a civilian career.To learn more about these companies visit helmetstohardhats.ca and canadacompany.ca

For a second year EHRC's HR Awards of Excellence were presented, celebrating extraordinary achievements and giving national recognition to the champions of excellence who are making a positive and tangible impact on the workforce. We were delighted to see the following winning companies and individuals who exemplified leadership, innovation, drive and passion in our industry.


 

Leader of the Year

The Leader of the Year Award was established by EHRC to recognize and celebrate an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their organization within the Canadian electricity industry through visionary people management strategies and leadership. The winner is a person who has affected positive change within their organization and who is dedicated to ensuring that their workforce has the opportunity and skills to contribute to the business' overall strategy and success.

 

2014 Winner: Brian Bentz, Powerstream Inc.

Emerging Leader

2014 Winner: Jim Pegg, Hydro Ottawa

Innovation in HR Practices - Educational / Training Institution

2014 Winner: Fortis Alberta's Employee Development Centre

Innovation in HR Practices - Employer

2014 Winner: This year saw a tie: ATCO Electric represented by Greg Comis and Ontario Power Authority's Elizabeth Squissato

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Champion

2014 Winner: Ontario Power Generation and the SIBI Board of Directors for their Innovative Approach to Resourcing Projects in Northern Ontario through Partnerships: the Sibi Employment and Training Initiative.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 


















 




 


 


Overcoming Gender Stereotypes

It's 2014, yet there are still gender stereotypes that incorrectly assume that women should be limited to a certain set of career domains. Canada's electricity and renewable energy industry is one such area. Women represent only one quarter of the electricity and renewable energy work force, and fewer than 5 per cent in trades-related occupations, but we are making gains.

"Green Energy Sector Jobs Surpass Total Oil Sands Employment"

As recent headlines suggest, the importance of green energy continues to grow. with a new report from Clean Energy Canada called Tracking the Energy Revolution (http://bit.ly/1I0qK9y).
 
INovember 2013, EHRC launched the findings from its Renewing Futures project, a major human resources (HR) research project to assess the capacity of Canada's skilled workforce to meet the labour requirements of projected additions to electricity related renewable energy (RE) systems. This two year research project included over 400 representatives from wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal, marine/tidal, small and large hydro, as well as, transmission, storage and distribution industries. The research provides crucial data on the impact of renewable electricity growth on labour markets and key occupations across the country. 

The resulting human resources report and strategic plan covers training programs, regulations and government policies, certification, interprovincial mobility, retirements, retention and sector specific specializations. And a technology report that identifies future growth in renewable electricity operations and development, describing the most likely technologies to be installed across the sectors in each Province. Visit RenewingFutures.ca and watch a video presentation of the research findings http://renewingfutures.ca/english/NewAndNoteworthy.asp?a=view&id=15

The Skills Agenda

Labour market ministers from across Canada met Nov 21st to build on their efforts to resolve labour market challenges and ensure that all Canadians can take advantage of economic opportunities. The Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) is co-chaired by the Honourable Jason Kenney, federal Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Allen Roach, Prince Edward Island Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. On the agenda  were Labour Market Development Agreements,the Canada Job Fund, Apprenticeships, Labour Market Information, Foreign Qualification Recognition and Labour Mobility.


Apprenticeships

 

Breaking down the barriers to mobility and completion rates
 
Federal and provincial governments continue to work together to ensure apprentices can more easily train and work towards completing their certification anywhere in Canada.

The Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Project, which is a first in Canada, announced on November 7th that it will focus on a new set of six trades: carpenter, welder, metal fabricator, steamfitter-pipefitter, plumber, and industrial electrician. This is in addition to four previous trades: bricklayer, cook, instrumentation and control technician, and construction electrician.

"Our government's top priority is creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. That is why we are working with the Atlantic provinces to remove barriers caused by different apprenticeship systems; so that we can help more Canadians get the skills and experience they need and benefit from well-paid, in-demand jobs. Harmonizing apprenticeship requirements in Atlantic Canada will improve completion rates, address skills shortages and create jobs for apprentices."

 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

 http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/aes/1107n05.aspx


Protection and Control Training with Georgian College




Georgian College's Barrie campus has developed Protection and Control training for technicians working in the field who want to specialize or expand their knowledge.  The program consists of four modules over nineteen days - Introduction to Protection and Control, Feeder Protections, Transformer Protections and Bus Protection.

For more information contact  [email protected] or telephone 705.728.1968, ext. 1473

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Contact Us

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

 

Upcoming Industry Events
 
Cannexus15 National Career Development Conference
January 26-28, 2015  Ottawa, Ontario

 

Canadian Energy Industry 2015 - Update and Insights (Energy Council of Canada)

February 17th, 2015

Ottawa, Ontario

[email protected]

 

CanWEA Operations & Maintenance Summit

February 26 & 27, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

 

Canadian Hydropower Association's 2015 Forum on Hydropower

May 14 & 15, 2015

Ottawa, ON 

EHRC CEO to chair "Meeting the Labour Demand" workshop.

http://hydroforum.ca/node/4