Transitioning Canada’s Energy Sector To A Clean Energy Future Requires Transitioning Canada’s Youth Into Our Energy Workforce.

As we continue to zero in on the goal of a net-zero carbon economy, it is the passion and drive by the next generation workforce that will power Canada’s transition to a clean energy future. 

Today’s youth will become the architects of tomorrow who will design and deliver our sustainable energy opportunities and systems. We must empower our youth to become tomorrow’s clean economy leaders.

Youth Deficit In Our Industry

Labour market intelligence studies generated by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) reveal that the representation of workers under the age of 25 remains low—5% of the workforce compared to 14% for the broader Canadian labour market.

The barriers that youth must overcome include skills and experience development, and misperceptions about the many diverse and rewarding careers our industry has to offer. Transitioning from education to a practical business setting and developing the thinking, collaboration and professional reflexes required for real-world scenarios requires creating youth opportunities for problem-solving, teamwork and networking.

Smart Energy Innovation Challenge To Be Launched At This Year’s EIF Canada Event

Built into this year’s EIF Canada event will be a new and thought-provoking initiative connecting youth to employers in a hackathon-style work integrated learning (WIL) activity that will see youth hone their skills when presented with must-solve problems relevant to our industry. Participants will be given dedicated time to understand, brainstorm and generate solutions—to be reviewed post-conference by a virtual panel of experts.

Youth participants will emerge with valuable experience—working in real-time, in a team environment to gain a stronger understanding of the scope and impact of our growing industry. This will help their transition to increased job readiness and employability.

Stay tuned for more details on recruiting youth participants and getting involved as an employer.

Discover the Potential of Recruiting Youth With An Employer Incentive Up To $25,000

EHRC’s Discovering Potential Program offers organizations the unique opportunity to help train and educate future employees by providing internship and professional development placements to source talent and generate hires.

Funding up to $25,000 is available

Discovering Potential can subsidize an internship, a training opportunity or a combination of both—up to a maximum of $25,000 per participant.

This program supports employers who provide youth aged 15 to 30 with green work experience through internships and on-the-job training. Positions in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and/or related to electricity, renewable energy, environment, and natural resources can also qualify.

Work experience should meet one of the following two criteria—the position requires:

•  Environmental skills, knowledge, experience or competencies to produce environmentally beneficial products or services. Examples include land-use planning, air quality engineers, etc.

• Results in an environmental benefit. Examples include positions in trades or manufacturing, and jobs related to renewable energy.

Additional funding may also be available for opportunities that support under-represented youth, including young women in STEM, visible minority and Indigenous youth, youth newcomers/refugees and youth living with disabilities.

Are you hiring now?

We encourage you to apply—the Discovering Potential incentive program is drawing to a close, with remaining funding opportunities for placements to be completed by February, 2023.

For more information and to see eligibility requirements, please visit EHRC’s website, or contact

Murtaza Ahmed, Project Manager for Discovering Potential at ahmed@electricityhr.ca.

Discovering Potential is funded through Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Success Defined!

Applying education-based learning, excelling in a work environment, and contributing to a high-performing team to get things done…these are among the life-changing experiences and hiring outcomes that can happen when drawing in our best energy resource—the aspiring and ready-to-prove abilities of our next-generation workforce.

“Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to use my scientific skillset to unlock geothermal energy within the Hinton area. I have been able to be a part of a dynamic team and culture. I am truly grateful.”

Rochelle Longval, participant, EHRC’s Discovering Potential Program