Welcoming Newcomers - Reading Materials - Chapter 01: The Business Case for Employing Internationally Trained Workers

Natural Resources Canada has identified the availability of skilled labour as a major risk in implementing Canada’s plans to make the electricity sector carbon neutral by 2035, and to fully transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.¹

The EHRC’s labour market research has also highlighted skilled talent as the most pressing constraint for the electricity sector over the next five years, particularly as the sector evolves and the demand for candidates outpaces supply.²

To increase labour supply, employers must recruit workers from other sectors, members of under-represented groups and/or newcomers. This must include students, older workers, women, racialized groups, Indigenous peoples and newcomers to Canada.³ Newcomers account for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth and bring a wealth of expertise and experience.⁴ This makes it imperative for organizations to give focused attention to attracting and retaining internationally trained workers (ITWs).

¹ Natural Resources Canada. (2023). Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada. natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/electricity-infrastructure/powering-canada-forward-building-clean-affordable-and-reliable-electricity-system-for/25259
² EHRC. (2023). Electricity in Demand: Labour Market Insights 2023 – 2028. ehrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/EHRC_LMIReport-EN_Digital_v4.pdf
3 EHRC. Electricity in Demand.
⁴ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2022). An Immigration Plan to Grow the Economy. www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/11/an-immigration-plan-to-grow-the-economy.html

• Help meet your labour needs
  ITWs make up just 19% of core electricity occupations, compared to the economy-wide figure of 32%. Within the sector, their numbers vary greatly. ITWs make up 61% of engineers and technicians/technologists, but only 4% of tradespeople.⁵ This means there is a pool of highly skilled candidates available that electricity employers cannot afford to ignore.
• Help you connect with other valuable workers and organizations
  ITWs may be able to become your “pipeline” to other prospective employees and connect your business to new suppliers, customers and partners.
• Increase your competitiveness
  Many ITWs are highly trained professionals with the skills and talent to help your organization compete in the local and global marketplace. They also have significant relevant experience, which can reduce training costs. More than 25% of immigrants are overqualified for their roles (defined as holding a degree while working at a job that requires only a high school diploma), compared to 10% of Canadians. This gap highlights a clear opportunity to make better use of the skills of the immigrant workforce.⁶ 

• Help develop new markets
  ITWs may have the languages, cultural skills, knowledge and networks that can help you develop new local and global markets. They can provide perspectives that can help you manage global projects more effectively. They can also help establish positive relationships with diverse members of your local community by enabling you to provide service in more customers’ primary languages.
• Make your organization more effective and innovative 
  Hiring ITWs can increase diversity in the workplace, which can produce other positive results. For example, a study by the Boston Consulting Group showed a statistically significant correlation between the diversity of management teams and overall innovation.⁷ ITWs may also bring new knowledge and experience (e.g., of specific work practices, equipment and technologies, or suppliers) that can help you succeed on new projects.

⁵ EHRC. Electricity in Demand.
⁶ Statistics Canada. (2022). Canada leads the G7 for the most educated workforce, thanks to immigrants, young adults and a strong college sector, but is experiencing significant losses in apprenticeship certificate holders in key trades. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221130/dq221130a-eng.htm
⁷ Boston Consultant Group. (2028). How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation. www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation .