Electricity is an innovative sector, but innovation can only flourish in an environment that upholds a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are three closely linked values held by many organizations that are working to advance different groups of individuals in society, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
Gender equity refers to the fair and just treatment of individuals of all genders, ensuring equitable access to opportunities, resources, and rights without discrimination or bias based on gender.
Disability equity involves creating a society where individuals who are differently abled have equitable opportunities, rights, and access to resources without facing discrimination or barriers.
Internationally trained workers contribute to a diverse workforce, bringing a range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural insights that enhance innovation, problem-solving, and creativity within the organization.
Indigenous peoples face various barriers in the workplace that can hinder their employment opportunities and career advancement. With the right guidance, organizations of any size can address these challenges and foster inclusivity for all Indigenous employees.
Diversity is the future: according to Statistics Canada, landed immigrants made up the majority (60%) of employment gains in 2017; nearly 80% of Canada’s indigenous population are under 55 years of age, compared to 67% in the rest of Canada; and in 2018 women made up nearly 48% of the Canadian workforce. With diversity becoming the norm in workspaces across Canada, it is fast becoming necessary for Canadian employers to adapt. To meet this need, Electricity Human Resources Canada has developed resources to support the inclusion of under-represented groups in the electricity sector.
EHRC has teamed up with the Government of Alberta to deliver industry-leading HR resources to address current and future workforce requirements to help ensure the integrity of Alberta’s power grid – now and for future generations.
Critical labour challenges, technological advancements and a retiring workforce all point to difficult workforce challenges for the electricity sector. (Source: EHRC’s Workforce Transitions: Labour Market Intelligence/LMI for Alberta’s Energy Sector).
Significant talent growth opportunities include women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and newcomers. HR professionals are shaping the solutions required to source and retain the talent pool with the skills and expertise required to meet Alberta’s current and future electricity capacity.
As the electricity sector is rapidly evolving, innovative strategies to recruit, onboard and retain candidates define our leaders.
EHRC supports employers with the information and tools to diversify its workforce. The industry cannot afford not to become more inclusive of people with disabilities.
The EnAbling Change program team has developed these tools to support employers in engaging with candidates with a disability so they may feel more included in the sector. All resources developed through this project have been designed in partnership with industry stakeholders to ensure their relevance to Canada’s electricity industry.
Welcoming Newcomers is a wage subsidy program and incentive for employers to recruit professionally skilled, internationally trained workers.
A four-month internship with a wage subsidy of up to 50%, or $10,000 maximum, is available to eligible employers. Click below to find information about eligibility requirements and an overview of the process, as well as the forms to complete to pursue this opportunity.
Illuminate Opportunity is a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind toolkit to support developing diversity, equity and inclusion practices for employers in Alberta and beyond.
It guides employers to apply a diversity and inclusion lens to attract a full range of qualified individuals.
The Returnship Toolkit is an extensive guide that can be used by organizations to create pathways for individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce after a period of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
This compendium of resources provides actionable ways for employers to connect, recruit and retain this audience as they balance their caregiving responsibilities. Human resources professionals, leadership, hiring managers, and those involved in acquiring and retaining talent from a returnee population will find valuable and practical information to support their strategies.
The Leadership Accord on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a public commitment by Canadian employers, educators, unions and governments to promote values of diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations.
EHRC’s diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) service directory supports individuals and employers in their search for valuable resources from national organizations. Ranging from legal and immigration services to community networks and women’s shelters, the directory connects you with the most relevant resources – with filtering options by location, expertise, and more.