Welcoming Newcomers

Funding and resources for employers to recruit and retain internationally trained workers for workplace opportunities in the electricity sector.

Integrating Foreign-Trained Professionals

Labour demand shortages across the electricity sector continue to dominate industry concerns and priorities. Canada’s electricity sector requires more skilled workers in the electricity industry as our nation charts a path to net-zero.

Newcomers to Canada represent a significant and highly motivated talent force with the will, skills and competencies to fill key positions and strengthen workforce diversity. This new EHRC program will be instrumental in helping newcomers achieve timely employment with the benefit of job readiness and job search skills.

Welcoming Newcomers is a wage subsidy program and incentive for employers to recruit professionally skilled, internationally trained workers. A four-month internship with a wage subsidy of up to 50%, or $10,000 maximum, is available to eligible employers. Below you will find information about eligibility requirements and an overview of the process, as well as the forms to complete to pursue this opportunity.

Our goal is to accelerate the electricity sector’s workforce integration of highly skilled newcomers by generating 100 foreign-trained newcomer participants. Funding will be provided to the first employers who apply and meet the eligibility requirements. We encourage employers to act swiftly – competing industries are actively recruiting from this newcomer talent pool.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is dependent on the participant and the employer. For answers to questions not seen below, please email Dragana Mrdjenovic with your company name, phone number and specific query.

Participant Eligibility

Participants are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

– They are a newcomer to Canada in the past ten (10) years who has been educated and/or developed professional experience internationally; and

– They are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or newcomer/refugee with a valid open work permit.

– Please note that we cannot accept current international students until they have a Post-Graduate Work Permit after they graduate.

Employer Eligibility

– Firms who are seeking to hire full-time permanent newcomers.

– Firms whose primary activity is one of the following:

generation, transmission and distribution of electricity;
Sector support including renewables, in any of the following areas: R & D, business development, energy efficiency.
Engaged in the manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to electricity.

– Post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges or polytechnics) supporting the electricity industry.

Funding For Futures

Funding For Futures is a new intuitive and easy-to-use platform launching on July 28th that will take users through a step-by-step application and documentation process in an interactive, web-based environment when applying, monitoring, and managing their wage subsidy application.

Access Funding For Futures

EHRC Job Board

EHRC’s job board, powered by Magnet, is a powerful tool to create a professional profile, browse job postings, and connect with employers.

Access EHRC's Job Board

Resources for Newcomers

Access information on services ranging from job opportunities to healthcare, schools and community services in support of your newcomer hire.

Find Resources

Canada's Electricity Industry Powers Up For Ukraine

The tragic situation that continues to unfold in Ukraine has ignited a sense of disbelief, distress, and helplessness in us all.

EHRC is spearheading a national initiative to support Ukrainian refugees coming to Canada. EHRC has issued a call for Canadian electricity industry leaders to commit to hiring one or more Ukrainian workers upon arrival in Canada. The industry response has been powerful.

EHRC has launched its dedicated platform to connect employers to newly arrived Ukrainian job-seekers who are equipped with skills, experience, education and the desire to settle into their new Canadian homes.

Support or Learn More

Resources for Hiring and Welcoming Newcomers

Coming soon! EHRC’s updated toolkit will offer resources for employers to help integrate newcomers into the workplace, including professional skills training and mentorship guides.

For questions or require more information contact Pat O’Donnell.

Access the 2012 report

Steering Committee

The Welcoming Newcomers steering committee is now accepting applications. If you’re interested in supporting this project contact Mark Chapeskie.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following organizations who are participating on the Welcoming Newcomers Steering Committee: