Ottawa, ON – Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) welcomes the Government of Canada’s release of Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada as a bold path for the nation to take in meeting its electricity needs.
With Canada targeting a doubling of electricity supply by 2050, EHRC agrees that this target will only be met through a mix of electricity generation that includes nuclear power. Over the next 15 years, the Strategy targets building ten new nuclear facilities, launching the first small modular reactor in the G7 and supporting the adoption of nuclear power in at least six countries. These ambitions position Canada to become a global leader in the production of sustainable, reliable and prosperous energy.
The Strategy also rightly recognizes that success will depend not only on infrastructure and investment—but on people. Building, operating and maintaining nuclear facilities will require a significant expansion of the electricity workforce, placing skilled talent on the critical path of achieving Canada’s energy targets. In many cases, achieving full competency in nuclear occupations can take eight to ten years, not leaving much time for coordinated workforce planning.
While the Strategy points to federal initiatives, such as Team Canada Strong, as tools to grow the skilled trades workforce, additional effort will be needed to ensure Canada’s education and training systems can meet demand at scale. Expanding training capacity, supporting instructors and employers, and strengthening pathways from enrolment to employment will be critical to translating interest into a qualified workforce.
“The Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada acknowledges that the country cannot meet its energy commitments without equal commitments to workforce development,” said Derek Hughes, Director of Research and Policy at EHRC. “Without these investments in qualified workers, Canada risks falling short of its nuclear ambitions.”
EHRC emphasizes that timely, data-driven workforce planning will be essential to avoid delays, rising costs and missed opportunities. Upcoming research will examine youth perceptions of the electricity sector and assess workforce capacity to support nuclear development from construction through operations, identifying priority occupations and pathways and opportunities to attract talent, including through labour mobility.
“The scale and pace of these nuclear builds require a comprehensive workforce plan,” said Hughes. “EHRC is acting as a researcher and coordinator. We will be making data-based independent recommendations to help Canada meet this moment.
EHRC will continue working with governments, industry, educators and labour partners to provide evidence-based recommendations that support workforce development, training investment and labour mobility—powering Canada’s energy future with people at its core.
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
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ryan Baan (he/him)
Marketing and Communications Manager, EHRC
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613-235-5540, ext. 255