June 20, 2023 – Electricity Human Resources Canada reports it has been awarded $2.1 million to continue its Discovering Potential program through to March 31, 2025, adding that the wage-subsidy program “has already yielded remarkable success”.

Through internships and on-the-job training, the program offers youth work experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) occupations, with a particular focus on electricity, renewable energy, environment, and natural resources.

The Discovering Potential program will continue to provide funding to employers in the electricity sector, to hire and mentor eligible people between 15 and 30 years of age.

“Youth unemployment rates in Canada continue to be twice the national average,” said Michelle Branigan, CEO, EHRC, adding that this age group continues to be under-represented in Canada’s electricity sector. “This program really helps young people at a time when they need it most.”

Discovering Potential can subsidize an internship or training opportunity, or a combination of both, up to a maximum of $24,000 per participant. Additional funding may also be available for opportunities that support youth “furthest from employment”.

EHRC’s DPP is made possible thanks to the Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Science, Technology and Internships Program–Green Jobs, which offers funding to employers in the natural resources sector across Canada so they can, in turn, provide youth with work experience and skills training opportunities.

“Whether it is building electric vehicles, mapping clean energy sites, or managing our growing smart grids, the interns and trainees we are supporting today will be the leaders of tomorrow,” said Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the ministers of Natural Resources and Environment & Climate Change.

Electricity Human Resources Canada is a provider of national labour market business intelligence, HR programs, and tools for Canada’s electricity sector.