Human Resources

Issue Summary | Industry Response | Issue Management |  Resource Library 

Issue Summary

Keeping the Future Bright - 2004 Canadian Electricity Human Resource Sector Study new

Any lapse in the reliable supply of electricity has devastating consequences for the entire Canadian economy. Considering the central role played by the electricity sector in the Canadian economy — supplying Canadians with electricity and fuelling other industries — risks posed due to projected retirement in the industry need to be addressed on an industry-wide basis.

Ensuring an adequate skilled workforce is imperative. CEA, in partnership with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), commissioned a comprehensive human resources study in 2004 to provide a thorough overview of human resources challenges and opportunities for the Canadian electricity sector.

The CEA Human Resources Committee has confirmed Government of Canada funding support to the pre-development work for the creation of an Electricity Human Resources Sector Council.  A sector council is a permanent organization that brings together key stakeholders to address human resources issues such as recruiting and retaining workers, facilitating school-to-work transitions, and developing sector and career awareness strategies. Information about the Sector Council program of the Government of Canada can be found at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/hip/hrp/corporate/init_sector.shtml&hs=hzp

Industry Response

The Canadian Electricity Association, with the financial support of the Government of Canada, conducted a Human Resources Sector Review of the labor force in the electricity industry in 2004.  The study results demonstrate a significant shortfall in labor supply for the Canadian electricity industry in the next five to ten years.  Some industry segments such as nuclear are already experiencing a labor force shortage. The CEA Board of Governors, in response to the pending challenge in labor force supply, created a standing Human Resources Committee of the CEA Board composed of the most senior human resource professional in member companies to advise CEA on an industry human resources strategy.

CEA has received Government of Canada funding support to undertake pre-development work to create an Electricity Human Resources Sector Council. A sector council is a permanent organization that brings together key stakeholders to address human resources issues such as recruiting and retaining workers, facilitating school-to-work transitions, and developing sector and career awareness strategies. Information about the Sector Council program of the Government of Canada can be found at:http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/hip/hrp/corporate/init_sector.shtml&hs=hzp

The funding agreement, which will cover operational costs until the end of November 2005, is designed to enable the work of a steering committee to establish the Council as an independent ‘not for profit’ corporation.  The Steering Committee is a joint initiative between labor, business and education representatives to establish this sector council.

The Human Resources Committee of CEA will work jointly on industry human resources issues in partnership with the  Electricity Human Resources Sector Council.

Issue Management

Human Resources initiatives are cross-cutting over all CEA portfolios and are  managed by the Human Resources Committee of the CEA Board.

Key Contact:
Ann Kelly
Director, Customer and Human Resources
Tel: 613-688-2952
Kelly@electricity.ca

Resource Library

• Powering Up the Future - 2008 Labour Market Information Study
• Keeping the Future Bright - 2004 Canadian Electricity Human Resource Sector Study

Links

• Human Resources & Skills Development Canada