Sask Polytech to advance nuclear energy training opportunities

WATCH: Sask. Polytechnic has signed a first of its kind partnership to advance skills training for the nuclear sector. John Flatters reports.

Saskatchewan Polytech has signed a first of its kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) that hopes to make the province a leader in the nuclear sector.

The MOU is with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE).

“It feels pretty good actually,” said Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Sask Polytech. “To be the first to sign this MOU with UNENE, we’re very proud of that.”

The partnership hopes to address workforce gaps by transitioning skilled workers into the industry, or by providing upskilling opportunities within the sector.

In 2021, Sask Polytech began a program called Surge Micro-credentials, offering short, industry specific job training.

“UNENE brings a specialist nuclear knowledge,” said Jerry Hopwood, president of UNENE. “So, we can identify for general nuclear topics, what might be the scope to train people and bring the micro-credentials. So, it’s a natural combination.”

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Hopwood says Saskatchewan provides one of the most complete examples of nuclear technology, from mining its world-leading uranium deposits, processing and research that goes on at the university level, to the micro-reactor project with the Saskatchewan Research Council.

He says the announcement is a big step forward.

“Having nuclear professionals, technical people, skilled people ready for this build-out of nuclear technology that we see happening, because no matter how good technology might be, it doesn’t exist without people. So having capable people with a nuclear safety mindset is the key to any development of nuclear.”

With over 200 micro-credentials already offered at Sask Polytech, Rosia says this will provide even more opportunities to work with the entire post-secondary sector, making sure the province has the skilled workers it needs.

“It’s too late once the industry is here and they’re starting to ask for graduates,” said Rosia. “It takes us time to get them ready, so being ahead of that curve and making sure we know what the industry is going to need before they need it is critical.

The MOU signed Monday will allow Sask Polytech and UNENE to collaborate on development of a training and educational curriculum related to nuclear engineering technology, implementing research goals through applied research projects.

It also will look at extending the program to other polytechnics and colleges involved in nuclear engineering training.

“This collaboration is essential to meet the growing demands in the nuclear sector,” says Sask Polytech.

The MOU has a five-year renewable term.