Government of Canada and Electricity Human Resources Canada Announce $6.6 Million Program to Support Student Job Opportunities in the Electricity Sector

Electricity and Renewables represent a high growth opportunity for
students in a rapidly evolving industry

COURTICE, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), today announced its
“Empowering Futures” program, a Student Work Integrated Learning
Program, designed to create up to 1000 new jobs for post-secondary
students in the electricity sector over the next 4-years. The objective
of the project is to better align the skill sets and job readiness of
graduates with the needs of electricity industry employers, in all
provinces and territories across Canada. The program is funded by the
Government of Canada’s Student Work-Integrated Learning Program.

EHRC has long advocated for the need to have closer ties and joint
action by employers, trainers, unions and governments to expand the
breadth and depth of the skilled workforce. This Student Work Integrated
Learning program will encourage and support industry employers,
especially small to medium sized companies, to hire co-op students and
provide them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a real
work environment. The program will enhance the job-readiness of
post-secondary STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and
business students across Canada by offering up to $7,000 in co-op wage
subsidies to electricity and renewable employers.

“The Student Work Integrated Learning program was developed to bridge
the gap between formal post-secondary learning and skills requirements
of Canadian employers. The difficulties faced by young Canadians
in the transition from school to work – obtaining entry into the world
of work and gaining relevant job experience – are well known. This
program will provide students with the opportunity to align their
technical skills with the entrepreneurial and “work-ready” skills
required by today’s employers.”

– Michelle Branigan, CEO EHRC

The electricity sector is forecasted to experience high growth and tight
labour conditions, with an abundance of job openings, and high-quality
career opportunities.

“When Canadian students get on-the-job education, they’re getting the
experience they need to succeed. Our Innovation and Skills Plan is
putting Canada’s skilled, talented and creative people at the heart of a
more innovative future economy”

– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce
Development and Labour

About the Student Work Integrated Learning Program

The program will see EHRC bring together a consortium of stakeholders to
ensure that there is increased alignment between the current and future
needs of employers and the curricula being delivered by post-secondary
institutions. EHRC is establishing a national working committee to
connect stakeholders, including employers, post-secondary institutions,
industry associations and labour from across the country who will work
in partnership, to optimize effectiveness of the program.

“OPG is proud to partner with the Government of Canada and
Electricity Human Resources Canada to help the next generation of our
industry’s workforce have the skills and education they need to succeed.
OPG hires close to 250 students every year and each one brings new ideas
and innovation to our company. By bridging the gap between formal study
and hands-on experience we are investing in our industry’s future
leaders and positioning Ontario as a world leader in the electricity
sector.”

– Barb Keenan, OPG Senior Vice President, People and Culture, and Chief
Ethics Officer

Supporters of the SWILP Program

We would like to acknowledge and thank those organizations who are
championing the Student-Work Integrated Program, including: Hydro
Ottawa, Electricity Distributor’s Association (EDA), Canadian Energy
Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO),
Co-Operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL),
Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA), Canadian Wind Energy
Association (CANWEA), Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
(CCTT), Carleton University, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN),
Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), Ontario Power Generation,
University of Victoria, Toronto Hydro, New Brunswick Community College
(NBCC), Ryerson University and Decentralized Energy Canada (DEC).

About Electricity Human Resources Canada

Electricity
Resources Canada (EHRC) is Canada's most trusted source of objective
human resources information and HR tools to help the Canadian
electricity industry match workforce supply and demand. EHRC works with
industry to strengthen the ability of the Canadian electricity industry
to meet current and future needs for a highly skilled, safety-focused,
diverse and productive workforce. For more information, visit www.ElectricityHR.ca.

Contacts

Marie Mould
Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Electricity
Human Resources Canada
(613) 235-5540
[email protected]
or
Media
Relations:
David Finkelstein
The DFI Group
(416)
300-4150
[email protected]