Alberta’s environmental workforce is rapidly growing as the province shifts towards a low-carbon economy. These workers are critical to the sustainable operation of traditional industries such as forestry, oil and gas, mining and the development of new sectors like cleantech manufacturing, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. However, many employers struggle to fill their openings despite the increasing demand for environmental workers. A recent survey of Alberta employers conducted in early 2022 found that several groups are currently underrepresented in the province’s environmental workforce. To address this issue, employers are seeking insight into potential labour sources and ways to tap into them.
ECO Canada is currently undertaking a project funded by the Government of Alberta to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in Alberta’s growing environmental workforce.
As part of this project, we are working to build a searchable online database listing of Indigenous-owned environmental consulting and services firms. We are in discussions with Indigenous organizations who may be interested in hosting and maintaining this directory on their website.
Our goal is to provide potential clients of these environmental consulting and services firms with a quick and easy way to find out more about their work and reach out to them. By providing these organizations with greater visibility, we hope to increase their opportunities to grow.
For more information about this initiative, please contact Geni Peters, Director of Research at ECO Canada (gpeters@eco.ca).
The Province of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.
