Recharging Our Workforce

The project commenced with a literature review of training capacity best practices. Examining the internal training methods used in other Canadian sectors served as a foundation for the electricity and renewable sector to address the same labour shortages and training needs. More specifically, the findings of this literature review informed the criteria for the selection and development of six training profiles from within the electricity sector.

While the literature review provided a snapshot of training-capacity management and training approaches within Canadian industry, the training profiles developed for the TLD project provide detailed descriptions of training methods currently used within the Canadian electricity sector to improve internal training capacity. To develop the training profiles, training representatives from 12 utilities and training organizations from across the country were interviewed via telephone to discuss their organizational approaches to training development, delivery and management. The information gathered within the interviews was used to develop organization-specific case studies available in the Recharging our Workforce report.

The Training Metrics survey was conducted to collect information from training managers and training directors regarding trainer qualifications and training capacity management within their organizations. The survey was open from November 8 to December 24, 2010 and garnered responses from 13 utilities from across the country as well as organizations within the solar energy sector.

Within the Training Metrics survey, respondents were asked to identify (from a list of options) challenges that they are currently facing in maintaining and/or enhancing their internal training capacity. The results are presented below.

• Staffing: Identified as a challenge among 2%of survey respondents
• Curriculum Development: Identified as a challenge among 5%of survey respondents
• Facilities: Identified as a challenge among 5%of survey respondents
• Obtaining Qualified Trainers: Identified as a challenge among 8%of survey respondents
• Company focus: Identified as a challenge among 2%of survey respondents
• Administration of Training: Identified as a challenge among 2%of survey respondents
• Technology Advancements: Identified as a challenge among 2%of survey respondents
• Funding: Identified as a challenge among 3%of survey respondents (both utilities and solar[1])
• Aging Equipment: Identified as a challenge among 1%of survey respondents
• Ability to Obtain Training Content: Identified as a challenge among 8%of survey respondents (both utilities and solar[2])

[1] Funding was identified as the most significant challenge to training by survey respondents from the solar energy sector.

[2] Ability to obtain training content was identified as the second most significant challenge to training by survey respondents from the solar energy sector.

The Recharging our Workforce report forms a strategic framework, which is the culmination of the TLD Project. It represents a means to ensure industry will be prepared to meet future workforce training and development needs. This framework:

• outlines best practices for internal training capacity management;
• presents current approaches to internal training;
• identifies practical and tactical strategies for training capacity management within electrical organizations; and
• recommends next steps for internal training capacity management within the industry.