October 4, 2023 – Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)—in partnership with the Government of Alberta—is launching a series of resources to address current and future workforce requirements “to help ensure the integrity of Alberta’s power grid”.

“The workplace is diversifying and changing, and we are providing Alberta’s HR professionals with the innovative forums and resources to share their experience and ideas, deliberate together and discuss key issues, and advance best practices,” said Michelle Branigan, CEO, EHRC. “This will help recruit and retain the talent we need to meet growing electricity sector needs.”

Critical labour challenges, technological advancements and a retiring workforce all point to workforce challenges for the electricity sector, says EHRC. Retirement rates alone will see a cumulative requirement to replace about 12% to 14% of the current workforce.

EHRC’s Peer Learning Communities (PLCs) initiative aims to provide real-time, peer-to-peer discussions, problem-solving and sharing of best practices to the forefront of workforce planning for Alberta’s electricity sector. PLCs provide a dedicated “safe space” and resources via an online platform where HR professionals will save time and effort by sharing tried and true solutions, and applying proven, practical approaches.

Download the Peer Learning Community Framework (PDF), which outlines the questions upon which a PLC can be set up. Each section starts with a question, an explanatory paragraph, some things to consider and, if applicable, a tool.

“Alberta’s government recognizes the importance of a skilled, diverse and growing electricity workforce and creating opportunities for all Albertans. Investing in this program with Electricity Human Resources Canada will help drive economic growth to build a stronger Alberta,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.

This program is funded by the Government of Alberta’s Labour Market Partnerships, part of the broader Workforce Partnerships Program.