Project Identifies Human Resource Requirements for Transmission and Wind Energy Development
Published on February 28, 2011
The Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta has begun a Business Retention and Expansion Research Project to identify human resource requirements for transmission and wind energy development projects in the region. The project will conclude with release of a final report at the end of March.
Through consultation, the report will identify specifics such as: numbers and types of workers required, types of machinery and materials to be tendered and a breakdown of sub-contracting requirements, including: length of construction times for each project, types of employment (full or part-time and permanent or contract) and estimated numbers of local versus outsourced positions.
“We’re identifying opportunities that will enable local companies to prepare and respond,” said Natalie Falk, Business Development Officer for the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta. “This is economic development at its very essence - it’s all about preventing leakage at the local and regional level and this project gets at the very heart of that. The report will enable local companies to make well-informed plans and preparations so they are successful at their bids for local work as opposed to it being contracted out to other areas.”
Altalink, Naturener Renewable Energy, Renovalia, Shell Wind Energy Inc. and SNC-Lavalin are five of the companies being approached for information on the human resource requirements for transmission and wind farm development.
“It’s really important to identify, in the early stages what the requirements are, for example to work with Altalink your company needs prequalification- which can take up to a year,” said Falk. “Once we have all the information as to the number of jobs created, the industries needed and we know what’s coming down the pike, we can go out to industry with the information we’ve compiled to help ensure they have the information they need and an ample amount of time to get ready.”
Upon completion, Falk plans to work directly with employment agencies and education service providers within the community and region to prepare for the likelihood of training needs related to employment generation. The information will also be relayed to companies, like wind developers to provide a general overview and big picture synopsis.
The study will be available to the public and posted online.
For more information on the Business Retention and Expansion Research Project or wind energy go to www.edalliance.ca.