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What's New?

Labour Market Intelligence for the Canadian Electricity Industry
EHRC is pleased to announce - with the support of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) - a two-year national project designed to produce an updated National Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) Report.  The goal of the study is to provide industry with information on the most up to date issues and statistics impacting the electricity sector and the subsequent implications for the demand-supply gap.  The overall goal is to build a body of knowledge which will inform and improve the electricity industry's capability in workforce planning and regulatory filing; organizational business planning for both employers and educators; and, for strategic human resources' planning purposes. The newly collected data will also provide government stakeholders with validated data to assist in the development of policy at the municipal, provincial or federal level.

In tandem, EHRC is delighted to be working with the Government of Alberta on a Regional LMI Report to provide both real-time current information and long-term estimates of labour demand and supply specifically for the electricity sector in Alberta as they look to advance policy within the larger context of a national energy . As the landscape of the Alberta energy sector changes and adapts there will be an impact on jobs that are being displaced as a result of moving away from coal and toward renewables. This body of work will examine the impact of these transitions and identify key best practices in transitioning workers from declining industries or jobs to new employment.  Employers will also be asked for their views on the non-technical or "soft' skills requirements as part of a new hire's overall skill set and the overall recruitment strategy for their respective companies.

EHRC is pleased to be working with the following organizations who will sit on the project steering committees:

National LMI - Electricity Distributors Association (EDA)/Burlington Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, Cameco (Canadian Nuclear Association),  National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO), College of New Caledonia, BC Hydro, Natural Resources Canada, Power Workers' Union, Engineer's Canada, Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT), NB Power, and Carleton University.

Regional LMI (Alberta ) - Alberta Independent Electricity System Operator (AESO), AltaLink, Capital Power Corporation, Government of Alberta, IBEW Local Union 254, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), TransAlta, University of Calgary, ENMAX Corporation, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), and Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)

To learn more please contact Julia Aitken at : aitken@electricityhr.ca

EMBRACING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

EHRC launches Resources Kit for Hiring and Retaining People with Disabilities in the Electricity Sector
The Electricity and Renewable energy workforce is changing. Canada's workforce includes a wealth of often-overlooked workers who can help meet the current and future labour needs of the Canadian electricity industry - this includes people with disabilities.  EHRC in partnership with the Government of Ontario, has developed an online Resource Kit for hiring and retaining people with disabilities in the electricity sector, with the goal of equipping national electricity employers with a variety of accessibility tools and resources. The Electricity sector needs to ensure it attracts, recruits, and retains the skilled workforce needed to support effective and efficient operations. Even though the accessibility standards apply to provincially regulated electricity employers based in Ontario, they constitute best practices that may be replicated by other employers in the electricity sector either federally regulated or regulated by another province. 
 
Connected Women  - 
EHRC'S National Mentorship Program
Over the years, EHRC has examined the issues and barriers around the recruitment and retention of women into the electricity industry. With women representing only 25% of the electricity and renewable energy workforce-and less than 5% in the trades, EHRC, with the support of Status of Women Canada and industry partners from across the country, is here to help through its 
 
Connected Women is a national mentorship program designed for women who are either already working in technical and/or trades occupations in the electricity sector, or are studying to enter the industry. By matching mentees with experienced industry professionals over a six-month period the Program aims to increase career entry and advancement opportunities for professional women, while helping organizations solve pending labour shortages and diversify their workforce.
 
Become a Mentor or a Mentee today and make a difference!
  
  

EHRC ahead of the curve to diversify the workforce

The conversation about women in the electricity industry in Canada has shifted in an encouraging direction over the past few years, thanks to EHRC's Bridging the Gap project, the piloting and recent introduction of EHRC's Connected Women Mentorship Program, and more recently  its Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity.
 
The dialogue no longer focuses on why we need more women in the sector, but rather, how we can support and accelerate this progress. We are beginning to see meaningful industry action on the issue, and we applaud efforts to champion change though internal commitments, programming and support for the  Accord .  In particular, we would like to recognize the efforts of Kathy Lerette - Senior Vice President of Business Transformation at Alectra Utilities and EHRC  Board Vice Chair.

With a career spanning over three decades in the electrical utility industry, Kathy has seen and worked on it all, including the construction, operations, and engineering side. She's managed teams across the utility, steadily working her way up through a steadily changing work place. When Kathy was asked to talk about the beginnings of her immensely successful career path, it wasn't necessarily about school, or even the first day. Instead, Kathy talked about a conversation she had with her mother. 
  
Government of Canada announces launch of Global Skills Strategy - 
Fast application processing, enhanced customer service now available for companies
Employers and highly-skilled workers can now benefit from the Government of Canada's Global Skills Strategy. As part of the Strategy, which includes four pillars, high-skilled workers coming to Canada on a temporary basis are now able to benefit from two-week processing of applications for work permits and, when necessary, temporary resident visas.

Employers can now benefit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's new dedicated service channel and the new Global Talent Stream. This will help them access temporary, high-skilled, global talent, scale up or expand their knowledge of specialized skills so that they can be more innovative and build their expertise.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
5th annual EHRC Awards of Excellence -   Call for Nominations opening soon!
EHRC's Awards of Excellence celebrate extraordinary achievements and give national recognition to the champions of excellence who are making a positive and tangible impact on the workforce in the Canadian Electricity Industry. 

  Award categories include:
  • Leader of the Year Award
  • Emerging Leader Award
  • Innovation in HR Practices - Educational or Training Institution
  • Innovation in HR Practices- Employer
  • Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Champion
As a reminder, the call for nominations will be opening soon!  Details to follow shortly.

Check out the EHRC Annual Awards of Excellence page shortly for more details.

Hydro One Honours 14 Student Recipients of the Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Scholarship
The scholarship, named in recognition of Justice Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin, is granted annually to First Nations, Mรฉtis and Inuit post-secondary students who exceed in academic excellence, and in their commitment to supporting their communities.

Each year, up to 15 scholarships are available to students enrolled in electricity related programs. Scholarship recipients are granted a financial award in the amount of $5,000 and those eligible may have an opportunity to complete a paid developmental work term with Hydro One.

Click here to learn more:  http://bit.ly/2t8qrag

Alberta Electrical Association Scholarships Available - 
Deadline for Applications is July 31st!
The Alberta Electrical Association's Calgary Region and Capital Region Electric Club are each awarding three scholarships this year. Applicants are not required to attend school in Alberta. Their applications will be evaluated on the basis of academic performance, contributions to the community, employment, field of study, and an essay.

Click here to learn more and to apply:   http://bit.ly/2txK6iY 


INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP 
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) welcomes new President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Peter Gregg

The Energy Council of Canada has named Enbridge CEO Al Monaco as its 2017 Energy Person of the Year

The IESO is pleased to announce that Mr. Peter Gregg has assumed the role of President and CEO.  Mr. Gregg takes over from Mr. Bruce Campbell, who has retired.   Mr. Gregg has extensive sector experience and will lead the IESO in its vision to achieve a reliable and sustainable energy future for Ontario.



Mr. Monaco is being recognized for his leadership role in the recent merger between Enbridge and Spectra Energy, as well as helping to shape the public conversation around striking the balance between meeting the Councils collective need for affordable energy while making the transition to a lower-carbon future.


LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Proposed Legislation in Ontario - Government of Ontario Introduces
Fair Workplaces Act
After two long years of wait, the Ontario government also proposed sweeping changes to its workplace legislation. These include raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, more vacation time, equal pay for part-time workers, new scheduling rules and labour code changes. But the alterations could have unintended consequences, says one lawyer.

Click here to learn more:  http://bit.ly/2rYXnVh


Major changes in Alberta
Alberta's NDP government proposed (and has since passed) major new workplace legislation - the first such changes in the province since 1988. The Fair and Family-Friendly Workplaces Act covers some of the bigger areas of concern for employers, such as maternity, personal and compassionate leaves, overtime and vacation pay, and labour arbitration and union certification.

Click here to learn more: http://bit.ly/2qo0sta

 
Rules change for the Canada-Ontario Job Grant program
Canada will experience a significant employment shift over the next few years. In 2017 alone, 3.6 million executive leaders intend to retire, threatening the onset of a significant skills gap in the Canadian work force, according to executive recruitment firm.  Read more ....

HR Leaders talk - Coping with change
Whether it's automation, multiple generations, globalization or the "Trump effect," today's workplaces are facing plenty of challenges. Canadian HR Reporter talked to five HR leaders from across the country to find out how they're dealing with all the change. Read more ....

Testing for Marijuana
The legalization of marijuana has heightened employer concerns that employees will come to work impaired. Lawyers at Sherrard Kuzz provide insights in looking at a recent case involving the Toronto Transit Commission. Read more ....

Membership

Are you an EHRC member?  
If not, we want you to be! 

Join EHRC by becoming a member and you will contribute to this mission and engage with like-minded peers. 
When you become a member, you are investing in the future of Canada's electricity labour force economy. Our mission is achieved through the hard work and dedication of professional staff who work in partnership with industry stakeholders to develop and communicate practical workforce development strategies. 

 
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