STEPHENVILLE, NL – World Energy GH2 is making a substantial investment in the future of green energy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
John Risley, Chair, World Energy GH2, made the announcement in Stephenville on Wednesday, September 20, from College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Wind Turbine Technician facility. He was joined by Sean Leet, Managing Director & CEO, World Energy GH2; the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Education Minister; Heidi Staeben-Simmons, CNA’s Associate Vice President Public Affairs & Advancement; Thomas Lee, Vice President, Investor Relations, SK ecoplant; as well as the students and faculty from the Wind Turbine Technician and Hydrogen Technician programs located at Bay St. George and Corner Brook campuses.
The nearly $160,000 investment means that successful applicants of this award will receive full funding (including tuition, textbooks, certifications, etc.) to participate in these programs. World Energy GH2 has also committed to employing students following successful graduation from these programs, and a formal recruitment process. There are currently 21 students enrolled in the Wind Turbine Technician and Hydrogen Technician programs.
Quotes:
“Today, we’re proud to fulfill a commitment we had made in spring 2022. We had promised to train local and hire local. We’re very pleased to offer full scholarships for all students who are enrolled in the Wind Turbine Technician and the Hydrogen Technician programs here at CNA.
CaptionJohn Risley, Chair, World Energy GH2
We’re proud to support these students and to support these new programs. It will take a lot of people to get this new industry off the ground, and to establish Newfoundland and Labrador as a global leader in the fight against climate change. Project Nujio’qonik will be the first of its kind, and these students will be the first graduates of their kind – it’s a natural fit. We need to train people for the new, renewable energy industry and there is no better place to start than here in Stephenville. Thanks to CNA for your leadership, and rapid formulation and deployment of these courses – we are appreciative and impressed.”
“Investing in the future workforce is essential to the success of our project, and to the success of this ground-breaking new industry. These are the jobs of the future, and these individuals exemplify the potential for a new level of prosperity and revitalization of the communities in the region. We’re excited to see such a high level of interest for these new programs that are a key part of the various plans we collectively have to cement our province’s reputation as a first mover and leader in the worldwide race to produce green fuels. We congratulate the 21 students who believe in this emerging industry and Project Nujio’qonik, and we’re incredibly proud to support them.”
Sean Leet, Managing Director and CEO, World Energy GH2
“College of the North Atlantic is stepping up to train students in key sectors including wind and hydrogen to support this up and coming industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. This scholarship funding will support the 21 recipients as they begin their educational journey in wind and hydrogen development. I am excited for students in the program who will be able to build their careers right here at home as they develop skills in this emerging industry.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Education Minister
“Today’s announcement is not just an investment in post-secondary education; it’s an investment in our future and a greener and more sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador. Our students have the opportunity to lead the charge in renewable energy, where our economy thrives on innovation, and where we leave a positive environmental legacy for generations to come. By producing highly trained wind turbine and hydrogen technicians, we're not only meeting our own energy labour needs, our skilled workforce can play a pivotal role in projects worldwide, enhancing our international reputation. CNA is proud to be part of this exciting development.”
Heidi Staeben-Simmons, AVP Public Affairs & Advancement, CNA
-30-
BACKGROUND:
World Energy GH2 is committed to hiring as many of the graduates from these programs as possible:
- Hiring will be dependent on graduation from the programs, and will involve a formal recruitment process
- The recruitment process will begin after the project’s financial close and all regulatory approvals
Breakdown of the investment
| PROGRAM |
Number of students |
Year 1 Costs |
Totals |
Wind Turbine
One-year program |
16 |
$7,359.44 |
$117,751.04 |
Hydrogen Tech
Two-year Diploma* |
5 |
$8,067.44 |
$40,337.20 |
| Total |
|
|
$158,088.24 |
* A second-year instalment of the program for Year 2 of the Hydrogen Technician Diploma students will be evaluated in the 2024/25 academic year.
Media contacts:
Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca
Laura Barron
Marketing Communications & Stakeholder Relations
World Energy GH2
709-689-0076
lbarron@WorldEnergyGH2.com