Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), in partnership with the Government of Alberta, is launching a new labour market intelligence initiative to assess Alberta’s readiness to build the skilled workforce required to play a leading role in Canada’s expanding nuclear energy sector.
As electricity demand accelerates—driven by expanding data centres supporting artificial intelligence, industrial activity including oilsands production and broader economic growth—Alberta is actively exploring how nuclear energy can strengthen its future electricity mix. This study will help ensure the province is ready to seize these opportunities with a workforce equipped for success.
Alberta’s electricity and oil and gas sectors offer a strong foundation, but nuclear development requires highly specialized roles, longer training timelines and regulatory-driven occupations that are not yet available at scale. In many cases, achieving full competency in nuclear occupations can take eight to ten years—underscoring the need for early, coordinated workforce planning.
The Alberta Nuclear Workforce Study will deliver a province-wide assessment of the workforce capacity to support nuclear facilities from development through operation and maintenance. The research will identify critical occupations and competencies, evaluate existing training and career pathways, and explore opportunities to attract talent from adjacent industries and other jurisdictions, including through labour mobility.
Through engagement with industry, labour organizations, educators and policymakers, EHRC will deliver data-driven insights and practical recommendations to support workforce development, training investments and labour mobility strategies to help inform Alberta’s potential adoption of nuclear energy. These insights will equip stakeholders to make informed decisions as the province advances its energy ambitions.
The study is supported through the Workforce Partnership Program; the Province of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.
“People are at the heart of Canada’s electricity sector,” said EHRC CEO Michelle Branigan. “Alberta has a tremendous opportunity to shape its energy future, but that future depends on a workforce that is ready, skilled and supported. This study will help ensure the province has the talent it needs to participate fully in Canada’s growing nuclear landscape.”
This study builds on EHRC’s track record of delivering trusted workforce intelligence, including recent research on the impacts of artificial intelligence on Canada’s electricity workforce.
EHRC is inviting stakeholders across industry and education to contribute to the study. Engagement activities will begin in the coming months, with findings expected in fall 2027.
About EHRC
Electricity Human Resources Canada is the national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the Canadian electricity sector has a safety-focused, highly skilled and inclusive workforce. EHRC works with employers, labour, educators and governments to develop solutions to workforce challenges and promote career opportunities in electricity and renewable energy. To learn more, visit ehrc.ca.
Contact
Ryan Baan (he/him)
Marketing and Communications Manager
EHRC
[email protected]
613-235-5540, ext. 255
