Since 2018, EHRC has supported the electricity industry through our Empowering Futures program. The overall goal of the program is to help young Canadians make the transition from school or training to work, through collaborative partnerships between the business community, post-secondary institutions, and apprenticeship training facilities. The results for students and apprentices are entry to the sector with practical skills able to apply them to practice-based learning through subsidized work integrated learning opportunities. Read more about EHRC’s program to provide financial incentives for SMEs. (link)
EHRC continues to see the increased demand on recruiting talent in the electricity sector, a sector that is already facing a dire labour shortage. As Canada continues its drive to improve renewable or zero carbon electricity generation, the demand will only heighten. For small and medium-sized enterprises this has specific financial implications in such a competitive labour market.
EHRC is launching a new program funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service, to provide financial incentives up to $10,000 to SMEs that hire first year apprentices from select Red Seal trades in a wide array of environmental careers including construction and manufacturing. Additional financial incentives are offered for hiring from equity deserving groups including women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, racialized communities including Black Canadians and LGBTQ2+.
As the program continues to create new work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities in electricity and provide financial incentives, an additional component will be employer access to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training. It is anticipated that much of Canada’s future skilled talent will come from diverse and under-represented groups. Pairing this with other supporting resources such as Professional Skills training and Mentor Junction, a portal that pairs learners with industry professionals as mentors, will also be available to support success.