OTTAWA (March 8, 2021) Today, in recognition and in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) released the “Advancing Women in Skilled Trades: Best Practices Guidance Document”, which accompanies CEA’s 2020 Commitment to Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the electricity sector. This report provides baseline recommendations for members as they journey towards gender diversity and inclusion in skilled trades staff.
“While developing this report, the members of the Distribution Council recognized that we, as individual companies and as a sector, have made great strides in increasing gender representation in engineering, however acknowledged that the field of skilled trades was still lagging behind in critical areas” said Lyla Garzouzi, Chief Safety Officer at Hydro One and Chair of CEA’s Distribution Council. “We recognized that it was missing practical lessons, guidelines, and tactics that would help overcome some of those challenges. It was then evident that we can learn from each other’s experiences and industry acumen, and do not necessarily need to reinvent the wheel, generation after generation, and company after company. Developing this report of best practices guidance is the first step to break down those silos.”
“As the national voice for sustainable electricity on behalf of its members and the customers they serve, CEA continues to emphasize our commitment to working collaboratively with our member companies to further advance our ED&I objectives” says Francis Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer of CEA. “The best practices presented in this report are a first step to the successful implementation of these recommendations and will accelerate efforts in creating equitable, diverse and inclusive workforces.”
CEA continues to prioritize its commitment to Natural Resources Canada’s Equal by 30 initiative and Electricity Human Resources Canada’s Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity. The role that women play, and the perspectives they bring forward to pertinent conversations in the energy sector is a key driver for innovative and inclusive solutions. Gender representation is necessary for a successful clean energy transition.
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About the Canadian Electricity Association
Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -all are represented by this national industry association.
| For additional information: Julia Muggeridge Vice-president, Communications and Marketing 613.719.9323 muggeridge@electricity.ca |