EHRC, Energy Council of Canada and the Canadian Renewable Energy Association unite to strengthen workforce capacity across Canada’s evolving energy and electricity sectors
Sept. 2, 2026 | Ottawa, ON – Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), the Energy Council of Canada and the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) today announced the launch of the Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance, a national initiative to ensure Canada has the skilled workers needed to build energy infrastructure, support major projects, meet growing demand across energy systems and advance the country’s broader economic agenda.
The Alliance is one of six sector workforce alliances announced by the federal government to address pressing labour market challenges across industries of strategic and economic importance. Its creation underscores the critical role energy plays in the country’s future. The announcement was made in Ottawa in partnership with the Government of Canada.
Canada’s energy system—spanning conventional oil and gas, electricity and renewable technologies—is entering a period of rapid growth and transformation. Rising global demand, expanding domestic infrastructure and increasing integration of new technologies are creating significant opportunities throughout the sector.
At the same time, workforce pressures are intensifying across the energy sector. Growing electricity demand, expanding export opportunities, regional labour market constraints and increasing competition for skilled workers are straining employers and training systems. Critical occupations—from powerline technicians to mechanical engineers—remain chronically understaffed and difficult to fill. As generation, transmission, grid modernization, LNG and nuclear projects advance across the country, Canada will need stronger workforce planning and training capacity to ensure the right skills are available when and where they are needed.
Energy is now Canada’s largest export sector, representing approximately a quarter of all exports. In 2024, the sector contributed $232 billion to GDP and employed 316,200 workers. As Canada looks to double the size of its grid by 2050 and become an energy supplier of choice to the world, workforce capacity will be a critical constraint. The sector will need to attract, train and retain talent across the full energy value chain, including conventional energy, electricity, renewables, nuclear and emerging technologies.
The Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance will bring together employers, unions, educational institutions, industry associations, Indigenous partners and under-represented groups in the labour market to deliver coordinated, industry-led solutions to these workforce pressures. Priority areas include accelerating reskilling and upskilling pathways, improving labour mobility across regions, aligning training with emerging technology needs and expanding workforce participation from underrepresented groups. The Alliance will ensure these efforts are aligned across national, regional and local priorities.
EHRC will serve as the lead delivery organization for the Alliance, drawing on its national network and track record in electricity sector workforce development. The Energy Council of Canada and CanREA will play key supporting roles in convening industry leaders from both conventional resources and renewables across the entire energy ecosystem.
Quotes
“Our energy and electricity sector is only as strong as the people who run it. Through this Alliance, we are bringing industry, labour and training providers together to deliver the exact skills workers need and employers are searching for. Together with our partners, we are providing clean and reliable power, strengthening communities and building an economy where every worker has a place.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
“Canada cannot build the economy of the future without the workers to power it. From grid modernization to new clean generation, the projects that will define our energy security and economic independence depend on having skilled tradespeople, engineers and technicians ready to do the work. The Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance brings together the right partners—industry, labour, educators and Indigenous communities—to make sure Canadians are first in line for the jobs this transformation will create.”
– Michelle Branigan, CEO, EHRC
“Canada’s energy strength is built on its resource endowment and the expertise of a highly skilled workforce across the sector. From conventional energy to emerging technologies, Canadian energy companies play an important role in providing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy choices while adapting to changing markets, new technologies and major project demands. Energy Council of Canada is pleased to be a part of the Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance to help ensure Canada can anticipate workforce challenges, identify practical solutions and take timely action to support the people and skills needed for sector’s continued success.”
– Howard Shearer, Chair, Energy Council of Canada
“Electricity demand in Canada is set to grow rapidly as industries electrify and the economy digitizes. Wind, solar and energy storage are the fastest and most affordable ways to meet that demand while modernizing the grid. However, none of this happens without skilled workers. That’s why CanREA is proud to work with partners in the Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance to help build the workforce Canada needs.”
– Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association
About the Energy and Electricity Alliance
The Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance is a national collaborative initiative that brings together employers, unions, educational institutions, industry associations, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders to identify and address workforce challenges facing Canada’s energy and electricity sector through industry-led solutions to ensure Canada’s ability to build major projects and ensure economic growth.
About EHRC
Electricity Human Resources Canada is the national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the Canadian electricity sector has a safety-focused, highly skilled and inclusive workforce. EHRC works with employers, labour, educators and governments to develop solutions to workforce challenges and promote career opportunities in electricity and renewable energy. To learn more, visit ehrc.ca.
About the Energy Council of Canada
The Energy Council of Canada is a non-partisan, non-lobbying, resource and technology neutral organization. We bring together diverse members from energy industries, sectoral associations and governments from across Canada. As a neutral convener, we foster dialogue, strategic thinking, collaboration and action to support an affordable, stable and environmentally sound Canadian energy sector. We advocate Canadian energy with North American and international audiences. To learn more, visit energy.ca.
About the Canadian Renewable Energy Association
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how wind energy, solar energy and energy storage can decarbonize and modernize Canada’s electricity systems quickly and affordably, visit renewablesassociation.ca.
Contact
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ryan Baan (he/him)
Marketing and Communications Manager
EHRC
communications@ehrc.ca
613-235-5540, ext. 255