Demand for green energy workers to skyrocket in Canada
New nationwide project helps those looking to connect with training programs
By WorkCabin.ca Staff
As millions of students return to classrooms across Canada, thousands are doing something powerful: They're giving their career aspirations a real jolt at a growing number of post-secondary institutions now offering training in sustainable energy programs. These students are the next crop of soon-to-be skilled workers for the country's exploding green energy industries.
When they graduate they will enjoy something not every grad can boast: a virtual guarenteed job and endless possibilities for growth.
But there's a dilemma: Canada needs even more of these workers today, tomorrow and in the future to help the industry meet its rapid expansion.
In wind energy alone, the demand for workers will skyrocket. Canada presently has about 2,000 megawatts -- enough to power 560,000 homes -- of wind power and 3,000 Canadians employed, but that's expected to reach more than 12,000 megawatts by 2016.
Geothermal energy (using ground temperatures to heat and cool homes) is also booming. It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 units -- mostly home-based units -- installed across Canada. In Manitoba, ranked second in the country behind Quebec for geothermal installations, the province's hydro utility estimates that geothermal units have provided energy savings that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 35,000 tonnes annually -- the equivalent of taking 10,000 cars off the road. If you need more evidence that geothermal is hot, consider this: Google is investing $10 million in the technology in the U.S. where more than 100 geothermal power plants are either under construction or planned during the next several years.
Likewise, solar power is growing hotter too in Canada. New solar farms are pointing skyward to harvest natural energy, and a major breakthrough by a British Columbia-based company promises to make solar power even more affordable. Day4Energy has developed technology that cuts the cost of solar power by 25 per cent. It's a huge step for the industry and will bring solar power closer to many homeowners who previously ballked at the cost.
With so many sectors soaring, it's not hard to see why there's a growing need for workers for research and development, manufacturing, engineering, technicians, installation, maintenance and more.
Knowing where to turn for training has, until now, been more or less a find-out-for-yourself process. A new nationwide project, Clean Energy Classrooms (www.cleanenergyclassrooms.ca) sponsored by the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association, green energy promotions and recruiting firm Renewable Recruits, the B.C. government, colleges and other partners, is changing that in a big way.
"From Vancouver Island to Prince Edward Island, this growing industry needs more trained and capable employees," says Randyn Seibold, project manager for Clean Energy Classrooms. "Facilitating access to Canada's clean energy programs will ensure that sustainable energy is on the students' radars when making their career training decisions."
Clean Energy Classrooms is a one-stop online directory for information and links to training options through post-secondary, industry, native and non-profit programs. A print version of the project will be distributed to secondary schools, employment centres and other locations this fall.
The initiative is already winning rave reviews from post-secondary institutions which offer programs in sustainable energy.
"The Clean Energy Classrooms project provides a way for our department to leverage scarce marketing resources to reach the audience that would be most interested in our program," says Eric Smiley, an instructor in the green building and renewable energy technician program at Vancouver Island University.
WorkCabin.ca is Canada’s premiere green outpost for green jobs
Posted by on 09/04 at 06:46 PM