Written by Leah Butler, Manager of Energy Literacy Initiatives, Atlantica Centre for Energy.
As we work towards a low carbon and clean energy economy in Atlantic Canada, energy literacy has been a topic of discussion within the energy sector. New energy developments like solar, onshore and offshore wind, and battery storage require learning a lot of new information, especially for those who live near where new energy projects are being built.
Nova Scotia is working to harness incredible onshore and offshore wind speeds, including a future eye on green hydrogen production, among other clean fuels. The renewable energy sector presents an economic opportunity that will create jobs for a skilled workforce and involve transitioning the existing traditional sector workforce. In order to prepare for current and future needs, this new workforce, especially young people, may need to learn new technologies and what a clean energy future means.
When I first joined the Atlantica Centre for Energy in 2023, it was to bring to life Fuel 4 the Future, an energy literacy project for post-secondary students and Indigenous youth focused on clean fuels. The Atlantica Centre for Energy is excited to relaunch the Fuel 4 the Future program in Nova Scotia to provide unbiased resources for those interested in learning the basics of wind, solar, clean hydrogen, biofuels, and renewable natural gas.
Fuel4Future.ca features three interactive learning pathways and many easily accessible resources in our region. The goal is to expose students to industry so they can hear directly from those employed in the energy sector and spark excitement about current and future careers in the region.
According to BuildForce Canada, Nova Scotia alone will need to hire 15,000 construction workers by 2034 to meet overall construction demand. The Province of Nova Scotia recently announced a $10-million investment in the construction industry to support more skilled trades. Labour has been identified as a challenge in the transition to cleaner energy sources, and the region is taking the right steps to address this issue.
Earlier this month I attended the Smart Energy Event in Halifax. One of the prevailing themes was that we need to work together across Atlantic Canada and support one another as we progress in our energy transition. As one panelist pointed out, we have fantastic natural resources in Atlantic Canada, and that includes our people power.
Examples of this people power highlighted by Fuel for the Future include the world class academic research relating to the energy transition, like Dalhousie University’s Clean Technologies Research Institute. Indigenous people are the fastest growing population in Canada and First Nations are actively involved in supporting initiatives such as wind farms, solar gardens, Nova Scotia’s grid-scale battery project and Wasoqonatl, the transmission line that will strengthen Nova Scotia’s connection to North America.
Fuel 4 the Future will connect in meaningful ways with the workforce of the future to provide information on career opportunities in Nova Scotia in the clean energy sector. We are looking for post-secondary institutions and industry partners to participate and help us inspire post-secondary students and Indigenous youth.
To learn more about Fuel 4 the Future, visit www.fuel4future.ca. You can also find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. If you’re interested in participating in Fuel 4 the Future events, please feel free to reach out to me at leah@atlanticaenergy.org.