OPG makes commitment to skilled trades through NII Explore energy co-op

Although students might not be ready to think about back-to-school topics just yet, the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) Explore Energy Co-op is set to welcome its next cohort of skilled trades students in a few short weeks at the NII’s Advance Technology Campus, northwest of Tiverton.

With the support of sponsors, such as Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the program is continuing its work, connecting the energy industry with high school students exploring future career paths in the trades. This week, OPG committed $5,000 toward the co-op plus its time and expertise over the fall and winter terms.

“This home-grown solution to meeting the growing needs of the clean energy workforce would not be possible without support from partners, such as OPG and NII’s founding members,” said Phillip Craig, president of STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) education at NII Explore. “From this generous donation to hosting students at their facilities during the program, we are grateful for their contributions to the energy co-op.”

In the co-op pilot program, earlier this year, 25 high school students from Kincardine District Senior School (KDSS) spent two days learning about OPG’s waste management facilities and how OPG safely manages different waste types, from spent fuel to radiation-exposed equipment, as well as about the various trades involved in OPG’s waste processes.

One student from the pilot program said that having the opportunity to go through OPG’s waste management facility at Bruce Power was really eye-opening because you got to see behind the scenes. It has inspired the student to possibly work there in the future.

“OPG is a proud community sponsor and values partnerships, such as the NII Explore Energy Co-op, where students are able to experience hands-on learning opportunities in the growing and much-needed industry of nuclear energy production,” said Kaitlyn Nevill, senior communications advisor.

“Supporting this program, through both sponsorship funding and hosting students on our site, helps empower the next generation by allowing the students to explore a multitude of potential career opportunities within the nuclear sector, including many within OPG’s Western Waste Management Facility.”

Now doubled in size after a successful pilot, the energy co-op is a specialized 17-week education program in partnership with the Bluewater District School Board. Different than a normal co-op, where one student is placed with one employer, the program exposes students to nearly 30 different careers across the clean energy industry — from construction and welding to emergency management and robotics.



NII Explore Energy Co-op students learn about the waste management process at OPG, including the various trades, engineering and other specialties involved in this work



Kaitlyn Nevill (right) senior communications advisor at OPG, presents a cheque for $5,000 to Sarah Spragg (left) and Phillip Craig of NII Explore to support the energy co-op


 
The first class of the successful NII Explore Energy Co-op