Joel Stacy
Construction Superintendent, Solvest Inc.
Devon Hardy
Program Director, Creative Green Tools Canada
Our economy is shifting to meet the challenges of climate change. But what does that mean for future employment?
Green energy is just one of the sectors of the economy growing to meet the demands of climate change. Jobs in the clean energy sector will grow by 3.4% annually over the next decade — nearly four times faster than the Canadian average for other sectors, according to Clean Energy Canada.
As for Construction Superintendent Joel Stacy, seeing the results of his work is what matters.
Stacy works for Solvest Inc., a company that specializes in installing solar panels in northern communities, focusing on the Yukon. As part of their work, they’ve put in place over 600 panels leading to over 12,000 kilowatts of clean energy.
“Seeing a design on paper, and then turning it into a solar system that produces usable electricity for hundreds of households in the Yukon is very satisfying,” said Stacy in an interview with Let’s Talk Science.
The Green Way Forward
But Stacy is just one of many professionals who found their place in the new green economy. Every type of skill and passion is needed for Canada’s future. It’s not just scientists; it could also be a small business owner making sustainable decisions or even a farmer redefining their relationship with agriculture.
Devon Hardy, a program director at Creative Green Tools Canada, holds a job made possible by the emerging green economy. Her non-profit works with companies across the arts and entertainment industries to minimize their environmental impact.
“I love my job because it combines two things I care most about: art and caring for the planet,” said Hardy in an interview with Let’s Talk Science. “I believe that artists and creators have a unique ability to use their platforms to make positive change.”
How can youth dream of these opportunities if they’ve never heard of them?
Seizing The Opportunity
With the green economy growing faster and faster every day, students have many new and exciting opportunities that weren’t present even five years ago.
But how can youth dream of these opportunities if they’ve never heard of them?
That’s where the Let’s Talk Careers Competition comes in. This event, made possible by Chatterhigh, Let’s Talk Science, Skills Canada and Engineers Canada, gamifies career exploration! Participants complete a 10-minute daily quiz exposing them to emerging opportunities, with many requiring STEM skills.
“Personally, when I went to school I didn’t have the opportunity to explore all this kind of stuff and I think it’s awesome because every time students were on ChatterHigh, I got a new question from them,” said Mr. Dzuba, a teacher at St. Theodore School in Saskatchewan.
In 2021-2022, students collectively answered over 1 million career questions in 80 days. And the best part? The competition is returning soon, and a prize pot of $65,000 is available for participants.
Finding Their Place
Canada’s green economy gives every young person the place to make an impact while pursuing their passions. And, as Stacey puts it, that means thinking outside the box regarding education.
“Don’t think that you need to follow a university path after high school just because you feel it is expected,” said Stacy. “Do what motivates you! Make sure you explore your options.”
And with the green economy growing faster every day, those options are becoming more and more exciting.
Explore green career options, along with fun climate science projects, resources and events.
