Canada’s Energy Efficiency Sector Is Poised to Add 36,000 Workers in 2019

CALGARY, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–lt;a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECOCanada?src=hash” target=”_blank”gt;#ECOCanadalt;/agt;–Canada’s energy efficiency goods and services sector directly employed
an estimated 436,000 permanent workers in 2018 and is poised to grow by
8.3% this year, creating over 36,000 jobs, according to a new report
released today.

These workers were employed across approximately 51,000 business
establishments across six industries, specifically within Construction,
Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Professional & Business Services,
Utilities and Other Services. Together, these establishments generated
$82.6 billion in revenue in 2018 and were generally optimistic about
growth prospects in 2019.

“Energy efficiency is key to Canada’s transition to a clean energy
future,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural
Resources. “In addition to helping Canada meet its climate targets,
energy efficiency boosts competitiveness, lowers costs for businesses
and households and creates good, middle class jobs for all Canadians.”

The Energy Efficiency Employment in Canada report (April 2019),
released today by ECO Canada, is believed to be the first of its kind in
Canada and offers a comprehensive breakdown of revenue, employment
figures, hiring challenges and this year’s outlook by industry.
Construction industry, by far the largest of the six, generated $37.6
billion in estimated revenue and employed over 287,000 workers across
39,000 establishments in 2018.

With increasing revenue and job growth across the sector, the demand for
qualified energy efficiency workers is high. Over 70% of employers who
participated in the study reported experiencing difficulties hiring
energy efficiency workers. The hiring challenges are particularly acute
in the Construction industry, where 43% of the survey respondents stated
it is “very difficult” to recruit workers. Lack of qualified workers was
generally cited as a key reason for those hiring challenges.

The study also revealed unique workforce characteristics that suggest
significant opportunities exist for hiring new Canadians, young
graduates, Indigenous persons and workers switching careers to narrow
the growing labour and skills gap.

“The labour market shortages can hinder the growth of the energy
efficiency sector and stall the fight against climate change.
Investments in workforce attraction and development including workforce
diversification will be key to addressing the growing skills gap,” said
Kevin Nilsen, President and CEO, ECO Canada.

Read the Energy
Efficiency Employment in Canada report (April 2019).

About this report

The Energy Efficiency Employment in Canada April 2019 Report,
prepared by ECO Canada presents energy efficiency workforce estimates
within those establishments directly involved in the supply of energy
efficiency goods and services, i.e., Construction, Manufacturing,
Wholesale Trade, Professional & Business Services, Utilities and Other
Services industries. The report is funded by Natural Resources Canada
and the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.

For over 20 years, ECO Canada has studied the environmental labour
market and examined ways to improve access for new graduates and
individuals entering mid-career. The data it collects provides insights
on green career trends, from top jobs to skills gaps to high-growth
sectors.

Contacts

ECO Canada
Phone: 403-233-0748
Email: media@eco.ca

Natural
Resources Canada
Media Relations
Phone : 343-292-6100
Email:
NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca

Vanessa
Adams
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural
Resources
Phone: 343-543-7645
Email: Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca