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Building a workforce for the clean economy

The Sustainable Workforce Coalition (SWC) is working to catalyze an equitable transition for workers in Metro Vancouver and BC to a clean economy through strategic convening, research, and capacity building 

The Clean Economy Opportunity

Who We Work With

Education & Training

Indigenous Partners

Business

Government

Labour

Who’s Working in the Clean Economy

Across British Columbia, the clean economy is powered by a diverse workforce that spans a wide range of professions and skill levels. From skilled tradespeople retrofitting buildings to engineers designing renewable energy systems, and from project managers overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects to analysts driving clean tech innovation, these workers are shaping a more sustainable future. With over 185,000 jobs in Metro Vancouver – and more expected as the energy transition continues – the clean economy is creating opportunities across industries, while equipping workers with the skills needed for a low-carbon future. 

How We Work

Strategic Convening

Research

Capacity Building

Storytelling

The Sustainable Workforce Coalition is made up of 40+ leading organizations from the business, labour, Indigenous, education, community, and governmental sectors working to ensure that a large number of diverse workers are ready and able to enter the clean economy. The SWC provides coordination and strategic leadership to businesses and people as part of B.C.’s energy transition.

The Coalition is governed through a Steering Committee that meets quarterly to discuss partnerships, and events focused on: 

  • Increasing workforce attraction and retention to the clean economy through campaigns and programs 
  • Showcasing leading organizations building a sustainable workforce in the region and British Columbia 

Projects

  • Greening the Screen: Sustainability Workshop Series for Producers 
  • Student Energy Report on Youth Workforce Attraction 
  • Lunch & Learn Webseries with the Vancouver and New Westminster and District Labour Councils 
  • Hosting a New York delegation of labour and environment leaders to discuss the potential of thermal energy networks
  • Iron & Earth Worker Engagement Series 

The Sustainable Workforce Coalition Team

Andrew Williamson

Program Manager, Sustainable Workforce Development

George Patrick Richard Benson

Senior Manager, Economic Development and Market Transformation

Partners

Steering Committee 

Aboriginal Housing Management Association 

Academy for Sustainable Innovation 

Anuvision 

BC Centre for Women in the Trades  

BC Ministry of Post Secondary and Future Skills 

BCIT 

BIPOC Sustainability Collective  

Buy Social Canada 

City of Vancouver 

Construction Foundation of BC 

New Westminster & District Labour Council  

Palette Skills 

QuadReal 

Student Energy  

Tawaw Strategies 

TransLink  

UBC 

Vancity 

Vancouver & District Labour Council 

Observers 

BC Housing 

BC Hydro 

BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions 

Destination Vancouver 

Metro Vancouver 

Natural Resources Canada 

Siga Swiss 

Skilled Trades BC 

Surrey Board of Trade 

YVR 

See the other ZEIC programs and initiatives