Equipping Indigenous youth to be clean energy leaders.

The Generation Power program connects Indigenous youth with employers in the energy industry through work placements.

Through 3 to 12 month-long job opportunities, Indigenous youth will get hands-on experience in the growing clean energy economy in Canada and around the world, and learn about the diversity of career opportunities in the field.

Employers, which include project developers, non-profit organizations, communities, utilities and government, will gain an understanding of how Indigenous youth are integral to leading Canada’s energy future.

Learn more about the program participants.

Program Goals

Through completing the program, Indigenous youth participants will:

Learn about clean energy concepts and the labour market;
Develop leadership skills and confidence;
Promote equity in clean energy workplaces;
Help broaden, attract and boost the retention of Indigenous youth in the field;
Provide culturally-centered professional development and be part of a support network of like-minded individuals.
Explore careers in the clean energy sector
Hands-on learning through 3-12 month internships
Mentorship and coaching
Wrap-around support
Optional introductory course to clean energy

Employers who participate in the program will:

Develop the capacity to lead and contribute to more equitable and culturally-aware workplaces;
Learn about the importance of Indigenous leadership in Canada’s energy future;
Understand how to attract and retain Indigenous talent;
Be part of a growing network of support with ICE’s community.
Opportunity to attract, retain, and advance Indigenous talent
Optional workplace equity and cultural competency training
A wage subsidy of 75% (up to $30,000)

Commitments

For Youth Participants

Active engagement is at the center of the Generation Power Program. Participants must commit to a work placement for 3 to 12 months and be fully involved in all program activities. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to draw on the skills and knowledge they’ve gained to advance their own careers and lead in the clean energy movement.

For Employers

Active engagement is at the center of the Generation Power Program. Selected employers will need to commit to the program for a 3 to 12 month period. They should be open to sharing their skills, knowledge and experience, and be dedicated to championing a more sustainable, equitable future. Employers must be committed to reconciliation and be willing to develop a proactive Indigenous recruitment, training, and skills development plan.

Get Involved

Become a Youth Participant

We are looking for motivated Indigenous youth from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including: young professionals, community advocates, academics, and people working at a grass-roots community level.

To qualify, participants must:

There are two ways to get involved:

Youth Participant Testimonials

Generation Power helped define the path for my career. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do before becoming a participant, but now after growing my technical and soft skills, I know what I want to do. My employer was very accommodating and let me take initiative in the work I was doing.

Through workshops, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative learning, Generation Power instilled in me a sense of confidence and leadership that has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to projects that serve both my Nation and community. The program’s emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and values aligns perfectly with my work, reminding me of the importance of blending tradition with innovation to create a sustainable future.

The Generation Power program has been a transformative experience for both me and my community, Frog Lake First Nations. Through this initiative, I have had the incredible opportunity to engage with the clean energy sector, gaining hands-on experience that has not only enhanced my skill set but also deepened my understanding of the vital role Indigenous youth play in shaping Canada’s energy future. The support from Generation Power has empowered me to advocate for sustainable solutions, allowing my voice to be heard in discussions about our community's transition to clean energy. This program has truly opened doors for me and has connected me with an exceptional network of individuals who share my passion for a sustainable future.

Become an Employer

Help shape the clean energy economy and our shared future by welcoming a young Indigenous leader into your organization for a work placement. They will be a valuable team member while you assist them in their career development. Generation Power can support a wage subsidy for the position for up to 12 months.

To qualify:

The position must be focused on clean energy;
The candidate must be new to the role.

Participating Employers

Employer Testimonials

The Generation Power program has been instrumental in supporting the employees at CIPS onboarding and learning experience. Through this program, we have been able to expand our team and capacity, engage with talented Indigenous youth, strengthen our focus on clean energy projects and grow from 3-18 First Nation member staff as a result. The opportunity to collaborate with Generation Power has provided our youth team a place to explore, learn, and be supported outside of our profitability based business. It provides a space to think about the big picture outside of project management KPI’s and focus on what the most desirable project outcomes can be to ensure a sustainable and equitable energy future.

My experience with Generation Power has shaped my approach to pursuing my passion for supporting northern Indigenous communities’ clean energy initiatives. The equitable workplace training provided lasting guidance on how to support a welcoming and inclusive environment both within my own workplace and in any other setting. All the stories shared through my two years in the program provided much-needed context for the pursuit of my passion, how my efforts fit into the broader picture. In particular, it showed me how my efforts can empower those best suited for supporting northern Indigenous communities’ clean energy initiatives, Indigenous youth. Generation Power, and the Indigenous Clean Energy community more generally, has provided me with guidance, inspiration, learnings, life-long friends, and so much more.

We have participated in the Generation Power program for three years with two different youth. It has been an incredible experience to watch them grow into their roles within the company and learn about what we do. Our first GenPower participant went off to pre-engineering at a local post-secondary school, and we are very hopeful that she will return with an engineering degree in a few years to rejoin the team. We are now on our second placement, and she fits in well with the team and is learning a lot about our industry. I have no doubt she will be successful in her role. The team at Generation Power has been responsive and helpful with any questions or concerns from the employer or the youth. It is a great program to be a part of, and I am happy to recommend it to other employers or to any youth interested in the clean energy sector.

Generation Power enabled us to hire our first-ever employee of First Nations background and helped us formulate a more coherent engagement plan with rural, underserved communities overall.

Become a Mentor

Program Mentors are experienced Indigenous leaders and clean energy practitioners who possess deep familiarity with Indigenous culture, traditions, and values. Program Mentors will also support Generation Power youth before, during, and after the Generation Power Program.

Contributors and Collaborators

We are honoured to have the support of many incredible people and organizations. Thank you!

Program Contact Information:

Alexandra Thomson (Program Director) – athomson@indigenouscleanenergy.com
Alex Lemay (Program Manager) – alemay@indigenouscleanenergy.com
Kaysha Reeder (Program Coordinator) – k.reeder@indigenouscleanenergy.com
Generation Power Inbox: genpower@indigenouscleanenergy.com

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