CAREERS: Exploring futures with EPCOR

CAREERS is a nonprofit dedicated to helping all youth discover fulfilling career paths through hands-on learning and mentorship. Their programs place students in internships where they gain exposure to a variety of careers, learn on the job, and are supported in their transition from high school into the workforce or post-secondary education. EPCOR’s support of CAREERS is focused on two key areas: Indigenous youth and young women.

EPCOR’s partnership with CAREERS goes beyond funding — it’s about creating real-world experiences. Two of our past interns, Tanysha and Lacey, spent the summer at Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant learning alongside operators, gaining insight into water treatment and exploring future career paths.

“There's a lot more involved in the overall process than I originally thought,” said Tanysha. “I like that the learning is hands-on. And everyone is very helpful and very informative. When you have questions, they're really good at explaining things.”

For Lacey, the highlight of her internship was feeling genuinely valued. “Everyone makes us feel important — like we’re just as important as they are,” she said. That sense of belonging made an already deeply personal experience even more meaningful. “Being Aboriginal, I always wanted to get into a career related to land or water. That's my background, so this opportunity feels like it was meant to be,” she shared.

Their experience is a powerful example of how mentorship and exposure can shape career aspirations — and why EPCOR’s hands-on involvement matters.

These internships are part of a growing movement. In 2023–2024, CAREERS placed a record-breaking 4,512 internships across Alberta — a testament to the rising demand for meaningful career exploration. While participation among Indigenous youth and young women increased over the previous year by 18% and 65% respectively, they remain underrepresented, holding just 14% and 27% of total placements.

To help close this gap, EPCOR also supports immersive career camps through its Heart + Soul program. These camps introduce students to the trades through activities like bucket truck rides, vault rescues, electrical switching, and pole climbing demos. Collaborations with programs like Braided Journeys and Young Women in Trades and Technologies (YWTT) have been especially impactful, offering mentorship and tailored experiences that help youth see themselves in skilled trades and technologies roles.

For Indigenous youth, staying engaged in school can be especially challenging due to systemic barriers, cultural disconnects, and limited access to resources. For young women, entering traditionally male-dominated fields can feel daunting without mentorship and exposure. CAREERS helps bridge these gaps by making school relevant and empowering students to challenge stigmas and test out different career options.

EPCOR’s support reflects a commitment to removing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities. By investing in programs that uplift Indigenous youth and young women — and by offering hands-on experience through internships and career camps — EPCOR is helping lay the foundation for a workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.

Together, CAREERS and EPCOR are helping students take the first steps toward a future filled with possibility.