Canada’s clean energy transition depends on a skilled workforce

Canada’s economy is changing fast. As the country shifts toward low-carbon industries and infrastructure, demand for skilled workers is rising faster than the workforce can keep up. New roles are emerging, traditional ones are evolving and experienced workers are retiring. Without a coordinated strategy to prepare and deploy talent, projects risk delays, industries could fall behind global peers and communities may miss out on economic growth.

This is one of the largest labour market transformation Canada has faced in decades, and it’s already underway. Meeting this moment demands a workforce ready to build, operate and sustain the energy systems of tomorrow.

The Sustainable Workforce program

To tackle this challenge, our program has evolved. What we once called Equitable Transition is now the Sustainable Workforce program, reflecting a sharpened focus on long-term workforce readiness, economic resilience and practical solutions to ensure Canada has the people and skills needed for the clean energy transition.

Globally, energy jobs are moving toward electricity. Electricity employment has grown by nearly four million over the past five years, surpassing traditional fuel supply as the largest energy employer. In Canada, achieving net-zero will require between 235,000 and 350,000 construction workers each year across buildings, retrofits and infrastructure projects, along with 60,000 to 90,000 long-term operations and maintenance roles by 2050. If Canada can align skills supply with demand, this opportunity is enormous.

The workforce challenge and opportunity

Right now, Canada faces a looming labour shortage. Skilled workers are leaving the workforce faster than they are being replaced, and shortages are already delaying projects in some regions and sectors. Without urgent action, delays would ripple across the economy, slowing investment, job creation and the growth of domestic industries.

Yet this challenge is solvable. Coordinated action can attract new workers, strengthen training pathways and ensure that jobs are high-quality and long-lasting. With the right planning and investment, Canada can turn this labour gap into a competitive advantage.

Investing in skills is investing in Canada’s future

It means preparing workers with the right skills so Canada can build more projects, create more jobs and position itself as a leader in emerging sectors like low-carbon construction, clean manufacturing and critical minerals. Skilled workers are key to economic growth, industry development and community resilience.

How this work drives action

The program helps governments, industries and training institutions anticipate and respond to workforce needs. By combining research, policy insights and stakeholder engagement, the program helps identify skills gaps, proposes solutions and coordinates action before labour shortages stall progress.

The work focuses on long-term workforce readiness, economic resilience and practical solutions to ensure Canada’s workforce, industries and communities are prepared to thrive in a low-carbon economy. Equity considerations remain, alongside a clear emphasis on building the people and systems needed to support sustained growth.

The clean energy transition is reshaping Canada’s economy, and the pace will only accelerate in the years ahead. Success depends on people. The Sustainable Workforce program will continue working with partners across sectors to ensure Canada is ready with the skilled workforce needed to build, operate and sustain a low-carbon future.