Training Students For Jobs in Ontario's Energy Sector

 
Training Students For Jobs in Ontario's Energy Sector
 
 
 

February 14, 2012 10:00 AM

McGuinty Government Building Ontario's Clean Energy Workforce

Ontario is committed to creating jobs in the energy sector today, while building the clean energy workforce of tomorrow.

To help students reach their goals, Hydro One has partnered with four Ontario Colleges to support electrical engineering programs. Students at Georgian, Algonquin, Mohawk and Northern colleges will benefit from more scholarships, co-op placements, as well as access to recruitment services and specialized equipment.

Graduates have found jobs across the province's energy sector, including Hydro One's Ontario Grid Control Centre in Barrie. This facility is the nerve-centre of Ontario's high-voltage transmission system, employing about 300 staff including controllers, dispatchers, engineers and technologists.

Supporting the next generation of clean-energy workers, while building a clean energy system is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create and support jobs for Ontario families while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals and our economy.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Hydro One owns and operates 96 per cent of Ontario's transmission system.
  • More than 5,700 people are employed by Hydro One, including 250 students hired for work placements.
  • So far, Ontario's green energy initiatives have helped create over 20,000 jobs and are on track to create 50,000 jobs.
  • Since 2007, Hydro One has invested over $7 million to support electrical engineering programs at Ontario colleges.
  • Ontario's target for clean, renewable energy from wind, solar and bioenergy is 10,700 MW by 2018, the equivalent of taking up to 2.9 million homes off the grid.
  • So far, Ontario has brought more than 9,000 megawatts of new and refurbished clean energy online - enough to power cities the size of Ottawa and Toronto.

CONTACTS

  • For media inquiries only call:
    Jennifer Kett, Minister's Office
    416-327-6747
    jennifer.kett@nullontario.ca
  • For media inquiries only call:
    Daniel Cayley, Communications Branch
    416-327-7226
    daniel.cayley@nullontario.ca
  • For media inquiries only call:
    Tiziana Baccega Rosa, Hydro One Media Relations
    416-345-6868
    tiziana.baccegarosa@nullhydroone.com
  • For public inquiries call:
    1-888-668-4636
    TTY: 1-800-239-4224



Ministry of Energy
ontario.ca/energy


 

"Together, we are rebuilding 80 per cent of our energy system - renewing the building blocks of our electricity system and working to build a better, smarter energy grid to meet our future energy needs. A key part of this plan is creating jobs for families today, and training Ontarians for the high-skilled jobs of the future."

 – Chris Bentley
Minister of Energy

"The results from the first phase of this partnership are outstanding. The four colleges have been very effective in attracting more students to their electrical programs, ensuring a stronger workforce for Hydro One and the entire utility sector. This is good news for the people of Ontario."

 – Laura Formusa
President and CEO of Hydro One

"Georgian College gave me the training I needed to develop my skills as a system control technician. Now that I'm in the workforce, it's great to see that the province is just as committed as I am to rebuilding Ontario's transmission system and ensuring reliability for future generations."

 – Jeff Higenbottam
System Control Technician and Georgian College Graduate

 
 
 
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