A new Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility is being built to prepare thousands of skilled trades workers for the upcoming refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
Construction of the specialized training centre is currently underway at the Pickering nuclear plant site in Durham Region. The facility will play a key role in preparing workers for the refurbishment of Units 5 to 8, a major project scheduled to begin in early 2027.
Ontario Power Generation says the Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility will support the training of more than 2,800 skilled trades workers who will be involved in the complex refurbishment project.
Samad Kasaai, Ontario Power Generation’s Vice President of Major Projects, said the training hub will be essential for ensuring workers are fully prepared for the technical demands of the project.
He explained that the Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility is designed to equip staff with the knowledge, experience and confidence required to safely complete the refurbishment work.
The facility will cover approximately 200,000 square feet and will serve as a specialized training hub for employees involved in the Retube Feeder and Boiler Replacement project.
Officials say the facility is similar to the full scale reactor mock up training centre used during the Darlington nuclear refurbishment, a project that was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility will include detailed reactor mock ups that replicate the actual design and components of the Pickering reactors.
These training systems will allow workers to practice key procedures in a controlled environment before performing work on the operating nuclear units.
One unique feature of the training centre will be a mock up of Pickering’s lower boiler assembly, which is an important component involved in the refurbishment process.
In addition to reactor simulations, the facility will also include steam generator boiler bottom mock ups, classrooms and a dedicated welding shop to provide hands on training for skilled trades workers.
The centre will also include secure storage space for refurbishment equipment and components to support efficient project operations.
Ontario Power Generation expects the Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility to be completed by December 2026, well ahead of the refurbishment work scheduled to begin the following year.
Once the refurbishment project is completed, the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station will continue to provide reliable low carbon electricity for approximately two million homes across Ontario.
Officials say the project will also create significant employment opportunities.
The refurbishment is expected to support more than 30,000 jobs per year during the construction phase, along with approximately 7,500 long term jobs during the operational life of the plant.
The Pickering Nuclear Plant Training Facility is considered a major step toward preparing the skilled workforce needed to carry out one of Ontario’s largest nuclear infrastructure projects.
