EHRC Applauds Budget 2025 Investments in Youth, Skilled Trades and Workforce Development
November 5, 2025
Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) welcomes the Government of Canada’s Budget 2025 investments in youth employment and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programs as a vital step toward addressing critical job requirements in our growing national electricity sector.
Budget 2025 commits $635.2 million over three years to extending the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), creating approximately 55,000 paid WIL opportunities for post-secondary students starting in 2026-27. It also invests $307.9 million over two years in the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), providing training, mentorship and wraparound supports to about 20,000 youth facing employment barriers annually. These measures will help young Canadians gain the skills and experience needed to succeed while strengthening the talent pipeline for electricity careers.
“These investments are more than support for youth—they are investments in the people who will build and maintain the infrastructure that underpins Canada’s economic success,” said Michelle Branigan, CEO, EHRC. “Nation-building projects require nation-building people. By expanding access to paid, hands-on work experiences, the federal government is helping secure the talent pipeline for a resilient, innovative electricity sector.”
EHRC’s labour market intelligence shows that 5,600 new workers are needed annually to meet growing industry vacancies, especially in highly skilled trades and technical roles.
To further strengthen skilled trades capacity, Budget 2025 allocates $75 million over three years to expand the Union Training and Innovation Program, supporting union-based apprenticeship training in Red Seal trades. This investment will help employers train and retain the skilled tradespeople essential for building and maintaining Canada’s electricity infrastructure.
“The federal government’s investment will ensure employers can access the talent needed to maintain a reliable, innovative grid for Canada’s growing electricity demands,” said Branigan. “Budget 2025 reinforces that a skilled and inclusive workforce is key to delivering national priorities; from building infrastructure and housing to enabling EV adoption and powering AI data centres.”
EHRC has already placed over 5,000 students, youth and recent graduates in meaningful roles through its WIL programs, helping employers develop the next generation of skilled professionals. EHRC looks forward to continued collaboration with our industry partners to ensure Canada’s electricity workforce is ready to meet the demands of a clean, inclusive and productive economy.
