Bright Futures BC
The 2004 Human Resources Study of the Electricity Industry in Canada, conducted by the Canadian Electricity Association, identified that the electricity workforce in British Columbia is the most immediately and most severely impacted of the provinces by the pending industry retirements – an estimated 40 per cent of the workforce will retire by 2014. To address BC's pending electricity workforce shortage, the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, in partnership with the Electricity Sector Council, Government of Canada's Sector Council Program and B.C. industry partners implemented the skilled labour career awareness program called Bright Futures BC, modeled after the TradeUp for Success program currently used in Ontario.
The purpose of the Bright Futures BC program is to raise student awareness of the career opportunities available in the electricity and renewable energy sector and to encourage them to choose careers in this critical industry. Bright Futures BC educational package was developed and distributed to all high schools in the province in March 2009, and it included "Energize you Future" posters, lesson plans, eight job descriptions, and tattoos. To view the Bright Futures BC website, click on the photo below.
A comprehensive kit folder is available in hard copy for teachers; to obtain a copy, please fill out this order form or email us at info@brightfutures.ca.
For more information about the Bright Futures BC program, and to find out how you can implement a similar program in your province, contact Project Coordinator, Julianne Robicheau at (613) 235-5540, or by email at info@brightfutures.ca
TradeUp for Success
On December 5, 2007, the Electricity Sector Council was granted licensure to implement the career awareness program, TradeUp for Success, on a national level. The program, initiated by the Power Workers' Union, Hydro One, Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power, promotes trades in the electricity sector to Ontario youth. The national expansion of TradeUp for Success will invite Canadian youth to learn about the benefits of careers in the electricity sector including stability, good salary and opportunities for advancement. Building on the TradeUp for Success model, industry partners collaborated on the development, production and distribution of an educational package to help convey the very important message that careers in the electricity and renewable energy sectors are rewarding, highly technical, cool choices for the youth of the future.
November 5, 2007 - "Trades are Cool": TradeUp for Success career Awareness Program Goes National.