Building Capacity Through a Multi-Skilling Model - OSEA

In t r o d u c t io n
The electrical and renewable energy sector is
dramatically changing. According to the 2008 Labour
Market Information Study (ESC, LMI 2008), based on
employer estimates, 28.8% of the current electricity
workforce is expected to retire between 2007 and
2012. The competition to replace these workers both
from within Canada and abroad will be intense.
Electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure
will witness significant upgrading and expansion in the
next decade. In Ontario, this will be due to the need
to replace aging infrastructure and well as to build out
the system to accommodate new and more distributed
forms of generation.
In addition, the sector will see more sophisticated
approaches to energy management. This will be
driven by a focus on conservation programmes at the
level of the building structure and consumer demand.
This will require a different kind labour force, one
that is comfortable with a more holistic, multi-skilled
approach that also balances technical and social
competencies. In short, the electrical and renewable
energy sector will need to proactively position itself to
be able to fill significant labour shortage gaps with a
new kind of worker. The CUSW is responding to this
capacity building need with an initiative referred to as
the Multi-Skilling Model.
Go a l a n d Objectives o f t h e Initiative
The initial goal of the Multi-Skilling Model is to
develop a collaborative plan of action focused on the
identification of the training deliverables that will set
the path for the trades person of yesterday to become
the multi-skilled worker in the emerging market of
tomorrow.
The objectives of the Multi-Skilling Model are twofold:
a) to provide workers with the pathway to gain the
knowledge needed to participate in the emerging
economy and
b) to provide a multi-skilled workforce that adds to the
capacity of the industry when executing everything
from systems expansion, manufacturing to
independent projects. The achievement of objectives
will bring operational flexibility and resilience to the
emerging markets. In turn, the multi-skilled worker
will continually add value to their own working lives
as they follow this journey to knowledge.
Un d e r s ta n d in g t h e Context
In yesterday’s workplace, trades people generally
specialized in their trade alone. The drive towards
sustainability and a green economy means that today’s
workplace requires a range of interconnected skills not
only to allow joined-up thinking and doing on site, but
also to make each worker more flexible, up-to-date in
their skills and employability. Although the workplace
has changed, many of the skills of the trades person
are transferable to the emerging economy.
Un d e r s ta n d in g t h e Opportunity
– A Picture o f t h e Fu t u r e
An understanding of how this opportunity plays out
can be portrayed at both the supply and demand
levels.
a) At a systems or supply level in the energy sector.
In Ontario, the Green Energy & Economy Act and
the green energy projects entitled to connection
have a direct impact on Ontario’s transmission
and distribution systems. These systems, mostly
untouched for many years, are now impacted by
new technologies. The Smart Grid system is in the
process of being developed and implemented.
As the demand for systems expansion and green
energy connections occurs, so does the need for
multi-skilled workers. These workers will be highly
valued as they will have a working knowledge of
systems as a whole and provide resource flexibility to
their employers.
b) At a local level or demand level in the energy sector:
Designing and constructing an efficient building
envelope will have a direct impact on mechanical
system design; building intelligence and automation
systems will require electricians and HVAC installers
to coordinate their efforts; energy efficiency
measures will need to be factored into construction,
as will smart meters and building-integrated
renewable energy systems. Therefore, having an
understanding and working knowledge of these
elements of the whole building will be increasingly
critical in setting ever-higher standards.