ECO Canada undertaking a New Study to Measure the Labour Needs of the Environmental Sector

February 19, 2008, Calgary – ECO Canada, in partnership with Human Resources and Social Development Canada, has hired MarketQuest Research Group Inc., a professional marketing research firm, to conduct a national survey with environmental companies in February 2008. The study—to be released in the summer of 2008—is expected to measure and understand the changing face of the environmental labour market.

“This important study will provide the necessary intelligence required by policy makers, employers, educators, and other stakeholders to make informed decision about business opportunities and training programs,” says Grant Trump, President and CEO of ECO Canada. “Our study is aimed at making certain that there are enough qualified individuals to ensure that the environment sector meets its full economic and employment potential.”

The previous environmental sector study was conducted by ECO Canada in 2004. New regulations and public interest in greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, cleanup of brownfields, and other environmental topics have changed environmental work in the subsequent four years. The rapid changes require regular research to measure and record trends about the environmental sector that is critical to industry.

“This project is a very timely and important initiative, which will help all stakeholders develop a roadmap for our future in this industry," says Leslie Panek, Senior Vice President, AMEC Earth and Environmental, an international environmental consulting firm with offices in Canada.

Highlights of the 2004 Environmental Labour Market (ELM) Report include:

• The environmental sector was growing 60% faster than the Canadian economy.
• One in four companies had vacancies.
• 75% of organizations performed work related to environmental protection such as water quality, land quality, and air quality