Post by: Sherry Hume, ECO Canada
ECO Canada has just launched the 2015 Survey of Environmental Employers, funded by the Government of Canada, under the Sectoral Initiatives Program. The survey will be in the field until February 26, 2016 in partnership with Insightrix, a Canadian-owned research firm with 15 years of experience.
Research will help identify workforce issues
Over 6,300 environmental and non-environmental employers will be surveyed across Canada and throughout industries in order to better understand the characteristics of the environmental workforce. It will help identify workforce issues by gaining an understanding of the skill needs and expectations from environmental employers and those employers for whom environmental issues may be a concern. The survey will estimate the numbers of environmental professionals per subsector, industry and region, their educational level and establishment size – which could potentially assist in ensuring that future educational and training programs better meet the needs of Canadian employers.
Methodology
The 2015 Survey of Canadian Employers will follow similar guidelines as the last one performed in 2013, which consisted of short and long version questionnaires. Surveys will be completed with business owners and HR managers from all industries across Canada. All participants will respond to the short survey. The long-form survey will be applied only to those who report having at least one environmental professional on staff (employees spending at least half of their work time performing environmental activities). Data from the short survey will be used to estimate the number of environmental employees and professionals in Canada. The long-form survey will provide insight on workforce demographics and human resource factors that may impact the future of the environmental sector.
Expect an increase in environmental related work activities
The 2013 study found that over 1 in 10 workers in Canada spend some of their work time in activities that support or are directly related to the protection of the environment and management of natural resources. It is expected that the 2015 results will show an increase in these numbers. Today many industries are incentivized by government agencies and the general population to implement processes that are friendlier towards the environment. With monetary inducements through a variety of programs, and customers choosing companies that offer greener options, this can only mean an increase in companies striving for better environmental stewardship. This could also potentially lead to companies hiring more environmental professionals.
Insights can be applied in policy, business and education
Survey results will be reported on the 2016 Profile of Canadian Environmental Employment, updating the 2013 report. Designed to discover the key industries and most in-demand occupations for environmental employment, along with the skills that are highly desired by employers – the survey data can then be used to create a forecast model that can provide relevant insights that can be applied in policy, business and education. Projected growth in employer demand can be very beneficial in focusing the direction of new environmental education programs and showing EP designation relevance within all Canadian industries. In short – it can make training for and finding employment as an Environmental Professional that much easier.
For survey respondents
We thank the thousands of organizations and individuals for their invaluable contribution to this project. This research would not be possible without their participation. Responses to this survey will be kept anonymous and will be reported only in aggregate form.
About ECO Canada Labour Market Research
ECO Canada Labour Market Research investigates current environmental skills and labour trends within the environmental profession and provides up-to-date, timely and relevant insights that can be applied in policy, business, and educational contexts. Check; Kroger Weekly Ad, ALDI Weekly Ad, ALDI Catalogue, IGA Catalogue, Meijer Weekly Ad, Publix Weekly Ad, Coles Catalogue, Supercheap Auto Catalogue.
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Questions?
Please contact Guillermo Cuevas Research Specialist, ECO Canada
