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EHRC Launches “Pathways to Power” to Transform Canada’s Clean Electricity Workforce

March 25, 2026

Funding from the federal government will help EHRC strengthen training pathways, modernize skills standards and support a more inclusive, job‑ready electricity workforce.

Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) today announced a landmark $6.87 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to support Pathways to Power, a national initiative that will modernize workforce development across Canada’s electricity sector.

With the country accelerating toward net‑zero, the electricity sector is in the midst of one of the largest workforce transitions in Canadian history. EHRC forecasts that 6,000–8,000 additional renewable energy workers will be required by 2030 to keep pace with the sector’s growth, while 13.1% of renewable energy roles remain unfilled, nearly triple the vacancy rate of the broader sector.

EHRC’s new five‑year initiative addresses these challenges head‑on, reinforcing the organization’s role as Canada’s leading authority on electricity workforce development and a key partner to employers, educators, governments and training institutions nationwide.

“Our workforce systems must keep pace with the speed of technological and economic change. This initiative brings together the intelligence, standards and partnerships required to build a coordinated national approach to electricity workforce development. It’s a practical plan that strengthens our capacity to deliver on Canada’s economic and climate priorities.”

– Michelle Branigan, CEO, EHRC

In Ottawa on March 9, the Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced an investment of up to $94.5 million over five years.

Delivered through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, the funding helps key sectors implement solutions to meet current and emerging workforce needs. These solutions include producing and publishing labour market information, developing skills development tools, frameworks and national occupational standards to help employers attract and retain talent, and foster broader energy sector collaboration and knowledge exchange to address shared workforce challenges. This investment reflects the federal government’s recognition that building a skilled and inclusive electricity workforce is essential to meeting national climate and economic priorities.

A sector‑shaping strategy for a secure energy future

Pathways to Power is a comprehensive initiative designed to modernize Canada’s clean energy workforce system through three pillars:

  1. Labour market intelligence that enables policy and planning: EHRC will expand its sector‑leading research program with LMI reporting, targeted studies (including nuclear and EV workforce needs), and real‑time analysis that will help governments and employers make faster, more strategic decisions.
  1. Modern skills standards and training aligned with industry demand: The project will advance National Occupational Standards across emerging technologies (including SMRs, energy storage, cybersecurity, and AI) and introduce a first‑of‑its‑kind national accreditation process for renewable energy training programs nationwide. EHRC is also partnering with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Energy (UNENE) to develop new foundational and upskilling courses to prepare workers for rapidly evolving nuclear sector requirements.
  1. Improved career mobility and national workforce collaboration for one Canadian economy: A new digital career pathways tool will provide Canadians with up-to-date insights into labour demand and salaries, helping job seekers navigate opportunities in electricity and related sectors. EHRC will expand its gatherings at both regional and national levels, convening decision-makers across the industry to strengthen collaboration and accelerate workforce mobility.

Expected impact

The Pathways to Power initiative will:

  • Improve the availability and use of labour market intelligence, which will support stronger workforce planning and policy.
  • Align education and training with evolving occupational requirements, ensuring graduates enter the sector fully prepared, including for emerging technologies.
  • Increase participation of equity-deserving groups in electricity and related occupations.
  • Strengthen collaboration across employers, educators and sector partners—within electricity and multiple related sectors—to support national workforce development.

Electricity Human Resources Canada | Improving our Industry, Together

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