Bruce Power is partnering with four Ontario Colleges on six diploma programs to help ensure a qualified workforce.
Chip Horton, vice president of Nuclear Operations Support Division, says it ensures people hoping to work as an operator, maintainer or technician at Bruce Power have options to help them meet their goal.
Lambton College in Sarnia, Georgian College in Owen Sound, St. Clair College in Windsor, and Algonquin College in Pembroke will take part in the partnership.
Students will be offered field or cooperative experience opportunities which could include Bruce Power. As well, graduates from six different programs will eventually be eligible to receive certification under the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program, a standardized certificate program developed to help ensure potential nuclear plant workers study an industry-approved curriculum.
Lambton College in Sarnia will offer the Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology program, Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology program and Mechanical Technician Industrial Millwright program.
Georgian College in Owen Sound will offer the Power Engineering Technology program, Georgian College in Barrie will offer the Electrical Engineering Technology program, St. Clair College in Windsor will offer the Chemical Laboratory Technology program, and Algonquin College in Pembroke will offer the Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety program.
These new partnerships are an important addition to our Bruce Power scholarship program that has for the past six years offered $50,000 in scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties. Students who are enrolled in a skilled-trade program, college or university for the 2016/17 academic year are invited to apply for one of 100, $500 scholarships.
The scholarship program builds on existing commencement awards for Grade 8 and high school graduates, as well as two scholarships for Aboriginal students and demonstrates the company's commitment to youth development and education. The program's aim is to reach as many students as possible with a one-time monetary pledge of support during their academic studies.
In 2016, Bruce Power will invest $100,000 in scholarships and commencement awards for students throughout our region.