Durham College nuclear workforce training is gaining a new national industry connection after the college joined the Canadian Nuclear Association as an affiliate member.
The Oshawa-based college announced the membership on September 17. It said the relationship is intended to support education, skills development and long-term workforce planning as Canada’s nuclear sector expands.
College joins national workforce discussions
Robin Young, Durham College’s executive director of business and workforce development in Corporate Training Services, will serve on the association’s Workforce Planning Advisory Council.
The appointment gives the college a role in national discussions about the skills and occupations the nuclear industry expects to need. The college said closer work with industry can help it respond to changing workforce demand and connect students and working professionals with career opportunities.
Durham College already supports clean-energy workforce development through academic programs, corporate training, applied research and immersive learning. Its existing relationships include Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, Ontario Tech University and regional nuclear suppliers.
Membership builds on existing energy partnerships
The new affiliation complements Durham College’s role in the Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium, a partnership formed with four other post-secondary institutions to coordinate workforce development for the clean-energy economy.
Canadian Nuclear Association president and CEO George Christidis said partnerships with educational institutions are important to developing the workforce needed by the growing sector. The association represents organizations involved in nuclear technology, energy, medicine, research and related supply chains.
Durham Region is a major centre for Ontario’s nuclear industry. Ontario Power Generation operates the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington and the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, while local institutions and suppliers support engineering, construction, operations and skilled trades.
The announcement did not create a new academic program or attach a funding amount to the membership. Durham College described it as a collaboration and workforce-planning step.
