Pembina Institute
ACET and the Pembina Institute have partnered to advance a worker-centred approach to clean energy transformation in British Columbia.
Grounded in a shared commitment to evidence-based policy, community engagement and systems thinking, this partnership brings together complementary strengths in research, network-building and applied policy development.
Together, ACET and Pembina are working to better understand the labour-market shifts required for a low-carbon future—co-creating practical solutions that ensure communities and workers are positioned to benefit.
By aligning academic research with policy expertise and on-the-ground engagement, the partnership supports more inclusive, resilient and regionally responsive pathways to net-zero.
Projects
Sustainable Jobs in BC: Workforce solutions for the clean energy transition
As a first phase of collaboration, ACET and the Pembina Institute convened a multi-sector workshop in January 2026 to explore workforce challenges in British Columbia’s clean energy transformation.
Bringing together representatives from government, labour, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations and civil society, the session focused on labour supply, training capacity, and job quality and inclusion.
Key insights
- Labour supply: Workforce shortages, an aging labour force, and limited mobility are constraining progress.
- Training capacity: Financial pressures and misalignment with labour market needs are limiting training system responsiveness.
- Job quality and inclusion: Barriers to access, uneven job quality, and underused policy tools are affecting participation and retention.
Emerging priorities
- Near-term: Expand early career exposure, flexible training and supports for workers in transition.
- Long-term: Strengthen policy alignment, regional workforce planning, job quality measures, and coordination across training systems.
The workshop also identified key research and policy gaps, pointing to the need for a more coordinated workforce strategy. These insights are informing the next phase of the partnership, focused on advancing a worker-centred approach to clean energy transformation.
Partner Contributions
ACET
ACET contributes expertise in community-engaged research, systems-level analysis and the co-development of integrated clean energy solutions. Through its network of academic, community and industry partners, ACET brings a strong focus on place-based approaches and the social dimensions of energy transformation.
ACET’s role includes:
- Designing and facilitating collaborative research processes
- Connecting regional interest-holders and community partners
- Advancing applied research that links energy systems with social and economic outcomes
Pembina Institute
The Pembina Institute contributes deep expertise in energy policy, labour-market analysis, and sustainability transitions. As one of Canada’s leading clean energy think tanks, Pembina brings a strong track record in shaping evidence-based policy and convening diverse stakeholders.
Pembina’s role includes:
- Leading policy analysis and research on sustainable workforce development
- Bringing cross-sector perspectives from government, industry, and civil society
- Translating research insights into actionable policy recommendations