Placements and training opportunities are funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Science and Technology Internship Program—Green Jobs (STIP—Green Jobs)
By Indigenous Clean Energy
OTTAWA, ON, June 6, 2023 – Recognizing the crucial role that young people play in the transition to a sustainable future, Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE), supported by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), is announcing new funding available for job opportunities for Indigenous youth ages 18 to 30 in the clean energy and renewables sector.
Yesterday, NRCan announced an investment of over $30 million to create green jobs and training opportunities for youth in the natural resources sector, including in energy, forest, mining, earth science, and clean technology. These opportunities are funded by the Science and Technology Internship Program—Green Jobs (STIP-Green Jobs). STIP – Green Jobs provides funding to employers in the natural resources sector across Canada, including in remote and Northern communities, to provide youth with work experience and skills training opportunities that contribute to positive environmental outcomes.
Through the program, NRCan will work with nine third-party delivery organizations, including ICE, to create 960 green jobs and training opportunities for youth nationwide over the next two years.
As a participating organization, ICE will support a minimum of 70 job placements over two years for Indigenous young people through the career training program Generation Power.
Generation Power’s overarching objective is to increase Indigenous youth participation in the energy sector through meaningful employment opportunities, positioning Indigenous leadership as an essential component of Canada’s clean energy transition.
“We are thankful for the partnership with Natural Resources Canada that will help us support our Generation Power program and promote green jobs for Indigenous youth. As we move towards the transition to net zero, the role of Indigenous communities and businesses will increase, and skilled Indigenous youth will be a critical need to managing clean energy projects from conception to construction and through the life of the projects. We appreciate that Natural Resources Canada has identified this need with ICE and supports our goal to advance Indigenous participation in the energy transition further.”– James Jenkins, ICE Executive Director.
With NRCan’s support, Generation Power has funded 41 internships at 34 employer organizations in the clean energy sector.
The funding provided by NRCan’s program has allowed ICE to cover up to 75% of interns’ salaries to a maximum of $30,000. Generation Power strives to match Indigenous youth with employers based on their interests, qualifications, education, experience, skills, and location.
“The Generation Power program plays a critical role in ensuring the energy transition is equitable and just for Indigenous communities. Indigenous youth are the next generation to lead transformative change, and we are grateful for NRCan’s support in creating barrier-free, meaningful opportunities that carve this path forward. Generation Power offers more than an internship placement; it is a space for deepened connections through peer-to-peer support, mentorship and coaching, networking opportunities to engage with Indigenous clean energy champions, and employment equity training to instill inclusiveness in the workplace.” Says Alexandra Thomson, Director of Youth Programs at ICE.
“Our growing clean industries need talented and well-trained young people working in science and technology. Whether it is building electric vehicles, mapping clean energy sites, or managing our growing smart-grids, the interns and trainees we are supporting today will be the leaders of tomorrow. A net-zero future means many more sustainable jobs, and today’s investment is an important step towards creating them.” – Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
« Nos industries propres en pleine croissance ont besoin de jeunes talents bien formés dans les domaines des sciences et des technologies. De la construction de véhicules électriques à la cartographie de sites d’énergie propre, en passant par la gestion de réseaux intelligents en pleine expansion, les stagiaires que nous soutenons aujourd’hui seront les leaders de demain. Un avenir carboneutre est synonyme de beaucoup plus d’emplois durables; les investissements d’aujourd’hui sont un important jalon vers la création de ces emplois. » – Julie Dabrusin, Secrétaire parlementaire du ministre des Ressources naturelles et du ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique
Generation Power is currently accepting applications from Indigenous youth who are ready to explore the clean energy field and employers who are eager to welcome young Indigenous leaders into their organization to provide participants with supportive, educational, and meaningful work placements.
For more information about Generation Power, please visit us at www.generationpower.ca
About Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)
ICE is the leading platform in accelerating First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participation in clean energy projects in Canada from coast to coast to coast. ICE supports Indigenous Peoples to be clean energy change agents through capacity building, skills development, career training, and mentorship with high-quality and hands-on programming that is by, for and with community.