CLEAN, GREEN, GLOW IN THE DARK

Indigenous youth and women offered a free nuclear industry training program

BRUCE COUNTY – The Province of Ontario announced $500,000 in funding on June 11 to help offer a free program to Indigenous youth and women to be trained in skilled trades careers in the province’s clean nuclear energy sector.

This one-year program, led by the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries and the First Nations Power Authority, will focus on opening doors for underrepresented groups to enter in-demand careers in skilled trades such as boilermaker, carpenter, electrician, and welder, a media release from the Ontario government said.

“We know that women and Indigenous communities have been especially hard hit by job losses during this pandemic,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of energy, northern development and mines.

“This great project gives participants the skills they need for good jobs in the clean nuclear energy sector as more tradesmen and women retire. Their success will have a positive impact on the local economy, and provide meaningful jobs that support them and their families.”

Participants will train in Bruce County, Grey County, and Durham Region, with a virtual training option. Childcare support, travel, and accommodation subsidies of up to $3,000 will be available during the training period.

Job placements will then be in Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties.

“As Ontario continues to recover from the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring economic well-being for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples is an ongoing priority,” said Greg Rickford, minister of Indigenous affairs.

“This investment in training for Indigenous youth and women aligns with our government’s efforts to partner with Indigenous leaders and communities to break down socio-economic barriers and advance long-term prosperity for Indigenous people.”

The project, part of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, is designed to help grow the number of skilled workers required to extend the operating lives of 10 nuclear generating units at the Bruce and Darlington power plants, and support smaller employers who supply nuclear equipment and tools to those sites.

At the end of the training, participants may be hired for jobs in the industry.

“Demand is high for talented tradespeople to train and work in Huron and Bruce counties and our thriving clean nuclear energy sector,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson.

“I’m really looking forward to welcoming trainees from across the province to the riding and to the positive impacts this program will generate for them, their families, and Ontario’s economy. This valuable program will prove that good quality, high-skilled jobs have a home in small-town Ontario."

Interested candidates can apply for the program by contacting by email at Terrilynn.woods@ocni.ca.

Cory Bilyea, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wingham Advance Times