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WHAT'S NEW?


Only two weeks remain until Electricity Human Resources Canada's Awards of Excellence!
Have you purchased your tickets? Click here to register!

Come celebrate with EHRC & provide national recognition to the outstanding achievements of those driving the electricity workforce forward! Along with the other recipients we will be honouring Mike Allen, Ontario Power Generation's Senior Vice President, Nuclear Refurbishment, for his incredible leadership this last year.

EHRC is also delighted to host its labour market panel discussion (with featured panelists from New Brunswick Power, Toronto Hydro/Ryerson University, Power Workers Union, Hydro One and the Alberta Electricity System Operator), and our keynote speaker is Deloitte's National Innovation Director Bernard Lebelle, who will speak to innovation, changing technologies and changing skill sets.

State of the Nation Panelists include:


Click  here  for a detailed agenda.


Sponsorship opportunities are available; thank you to all of our Awards sponsors:
Electricity Human Resources Canada's Labour Market Information (LMI) Study for the Canadian Electrical Industry is currently underway!  Ensure your perspectives are included!


Electricity Human Resources Canada's ( EHRC ) latest National Labour Market Information (LMI) study is underway.The report will provide the electricity industry with the most up to date data on the electricity workforce.The study is an update to EHRC's 2011 " Power in Motion ", which provided electricity companies with concrete, actionable steps to help them address HR challenges on a number of different fronts. EHRC has commissioned R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. (Malatest) to conduct the research to inform this study.
 
At this time, a comprehensive consultation process is being undertaken with industry stakeholders to update LMI data.  Both a demand-side survey (distributed to all industry employers and contractors) and a supply-side survey (targeted at all colleges, institutes and universities which have training programs related to the electricity /renewable sector) are being conducted.  

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the organizations who have completed the survey to date! 

If you have not yet completed the survey, online versions are available for completion until March 31st, 2018  which is recommended.
 
Completing the survey

To complete the survey you will require a unique Access Code this will assure confidentiality of responses and allow for ease of completion/calculations as you progress through the survey.

To obtain your Access Code please contact Sheila Harper, Senior Analyst at Malatest directly at 1-877-665-6252 (extension 224) or  s.harper@malatest.com

If you would prefer to complete a paper (hardcopy) version of the survey, you will be provided with the survey and a pre-paid return envelope. The survey can also be completed over the phone with the support of Malatest survey staff.

As a contributor to this research, you will be provided with the Executive Summary free of charge, along with a two-page fact sheet for your stakeholders. A discount will also be applied on the full report (details to be released in the coming weeks).

Industry Call to Action!

The success of the sector depends on the industry's ability to manage its human resource challenges. Understanding the labour market (the extent of the gap between labour supply and demand) and which occupations are currently under the most pressure (including the types of pressures that exist) is key to planning for the long-term amidst an ever-changing workforce. Critical information gathered through EHRC's LMI survey on the labour market and current and future human resources needs is the most effective way of assisting decision-makers within industry, government and education in identifying and planning for these needs accurately and effectively now and into the future.
 
EHRC has been fortunate enough during our last studies to see over 75% of the industry workforce represented in the findings - help us continue this engagement trend by ensuring your organization is amongst those findings!  

To learn more click  here  or contact Julia Aitken, Project Manager, Diversity & Inclusion at: aitken@electricityhr.ca
INDUSTRY NEWS

The start of 2018 brought with it a number of changes to Ontario's labour laws. As well as the increase to the minimum wage (now $14 per hour), there are a slew of other changes that will impact employers and employees. Those who have worked with their employer for more than three years will see their annual vacation entitlement rise to three weeks from two. Casual, part-time, temporary and seasonal workers must receive equal pay for equal work. Other changes include:
In Alberta, workplace law changes that took effect on Jan 1 include extended unpaid job protection for compassionate care leave, changes to how employees can bank their overtime hours and a new unpaid leave for employees dealing with a domestic violence situation. A new long-term illness and injury leave will provide up to 16 weeks of job protection per year for long-term personal sickness or injury, while a new bereavement leave to provide up to three days of job protection per year for bereavement of an immediate family member. On Oct. 1, 2018, the  general minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour, from $13.60 per hour
 
Starting in 2018, New Brunswickers will get another paid holiday.  Family Day will be observed in the province on the third Monday of every February.
Nationally, the federal government has extended parental leave - new mothers and fathers planning to begin their parental leave on or after Dec. 3 will be able to spread 12 months' worth of federal  employment insurance over 18 months and stay home with their child longer.
New family caregiver benefits also kicks in on Dec. 3, including a 15-week leave to care for a critically ill or injured adult, and a 35-week leave to care for a critically ill or injured child.
 
And of course at some stage this year (July 1st being the targeted date), recreational marijuana will  become legal (Bill C-45, Cannabis Act). Companies need to have developed and implemented clear policies as to how marijuana should be used, tolerated or forbidden at work.
Regardless what province you are in, it is essential that you are aware of any new regulations and your policies are updated. The changes above are just a sample - please visit your local provincial government website to learn more. This should be a priority, or you run the risk of breaking the law.

Useful Resources

Alberta:

British Columbia:

Manitoba:

New Brunswick:

North West Territories:

Nova Scotia:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Nunavut:

Ontario:

PEI:

Quebec:

Saskatchewan:

Yukon:
MEETING WITH INDUSTRY

The winter season continues to be a busy one for our CEO Michelle Branigan. Electricity Human Resources Canada has met with industry to present on areas of interest to our stakeholders and provided opportunities for the industry to give their feedback on the issues of the day! Highlights of past and upcoming speaking engagements include:
 
February 19 - 22, 2018 -  AESP 2018 National Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana . EHRC's Michelle Branigan will participate in a conference session titled Diversity in the Energy Industry.
This Leadership Roundtable will be focused on diversity and the growth of women leaders within the industry, wherein attendees can learn more about the state of workforce diversity in the energy industry, be inspired by the accomplishments and careers of these leaders, and come away with actionable insights to apply to their own careers.

January 31, 2018 -   Women in Energy WebinarE HRC's Michelle Branigan was a panelist for the  Energy Exchange's Women in Energy webinar, which introduced participants to leaders from throughout the energy sector: learn about their leadership journey, find out what drives them in their work and discuss how diversity will lead to a better performing energy system. Panelists also included representatives from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) , NRStor, Suncor Energy, Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise, and Power Advisory LLC. To listen to a recording of the webinar click here.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Ambassador to Turkey meets with WiRE/EHRC to discuss the energy sector


On February 5th, 2018 WOMEN in RENEWABLE ENERGY(WiRE)-including EHRC's Michelle Branigan, met with Mr. Chris Cooter, Canadian Ambassador to Turkey to discuss his insights on the energy market and evolution of the sector and to share best practices  between the two countries.

Other attendees included:  Joanna Osawe - WiRE Chair & Co-Founder - DMC Power, Aisha Bukhari - Advanced Energy Centre, Jen Aitchison - Hugh Wood Canada, Laura Van Soelen - Gowling, Kathy Lerette - Alectra/EHRC Vice Chair, Reena Goyal - IESO, Jane Travers - OPG, Niagara Operation, Jennifer Manning - NRStor, and Teresa Sarkesian - EDA
Connected Women Mentorship Program 

Connected Women  i s a national mentorship program designed for women who are either already working in technical and/or trades occupations  in the ele ctricity 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 organizat ions solve pending labour shortages and diversify their workforce.
Become a Mentor or a Mentee today and make a difference!
                     
Newest Accord Signatories & Advocates!

EHRC would like to extend our thanks to our newest Accord signatories:  The  Independent Electricity System Operator  ( IESO ) and Oakville Enterprises Corporation, and Accord Advocate: Ontario Energy Association (OEA) 

Organizations such as The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Oakville Enterprises Corporation have expressed their commitment to advancing the role of women in the sector through the implementation of a range of initiatives within their respective workplaces which aspire to the Accord vision.

Photo: Peter Gregg , President & CEO, The Independent Electricity System Operator, with Kathy Lerette, Vice Chair, EHRC.

About the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity

This Accord was developed by EHRC and its Connected Women steering committee, comprised of industry stakeholders from across Canada who collaboratively developed both the Accord and a national mentorship program for women in the sector. The Accord is a public commitment by employers, educators, unions and governments to promote the values of diversity and inclusion within their organizations. You too can join this group of leaders who are making a commitment for change.



To learn more on how your organization can participate click  here.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP 
Skills Ontario Names New CEO
Ray Lavender, President of the Board of Directors for Skills Ontario, announced the selection of Ian Howcroft as CEO.
 
There's No Formula for Gender Diversity in the Workplace  (via Recode) There's no set of numbers or benefits or actions companies can put into place to suddenly increase gender diversity across the company.

Hydro Ottawa's Millennial Workforce Doubles: Utility a Top Employer for Young People  (via CISION)
A decade ago, Hydro Ottawa launched an initiative to attract and retain the next generation of workers. This workforce renewal has succeeded in attracting young talent, doubling the number of employees under 35 to 32 percent.  As a result, Hydro Ottawa was named one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People for the fifth consecutive year. 

Forbes releases list of Canada's Best Employers in 2018  ( via the Daily Hive Toronto)   
Forbes has just released its Canada's Best Employers 2018  list.  The massive list includes 300 employers from across the country, and for the second year in a row, Ontario dominated the top 25.
 
Massachusetts utilities announced today that they have selected a Hydro-Québec proposal to supply a large quantity - 9.45 TWh - of firm clean energy, which will help the state enhance reliability and contribute to its greenhouse gas reduction requirements .
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UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
(click on event title to learn 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. 
 
LEARN MORE HERE