New program helps CNL’s Academic Partnership Program grow its impact.
As both federal and provincial governments advance Canada’s plans for a clean energy transition, Canada’s national nuclear laboratory has been focused on the future workforce and the important role it needs to play in developing Canadian talent to support the country’s clean energy future. As a foundational partner of Ontario Tech University’s newly launched Student Enrichment Program, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) will be advancing shared goals of its own Academic Partnership Program. Primarily, it will be fostering greater student awareness of Canada’s energy sector and the diversity of career opportunities available and providing new student learning experiences at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories’ campus.
This new three-year partnership commitment with Ontario Tech includes annual paid co-op placements for Ontario Tech students, opportunities for CNL staff to contribute to student learning through on-campus lectures as well as participation in student recruitment and networking opportunities. CNL will also be contributing to the university’s annual Human Resources Community of Practice to discuss industry and talent needs and opportunities in the clean energy sector.
“CNL is very proud to be a founding partner of Ontario Tech University’s Student Enrichment Program,” said Dr. Jeff Griffin, Vice-President, Science and Technology, CNL. “The workforce complement needed to support a clean energy transition is a significant challenge, and one recognized globally. This new program paves the way for unique learning experiences for Ontario Tech students and CNL staff as well, and we’re looking forward to helping it grow.”
On January 30, CNL’s Director, Academic Partnership Program, Dr. Gina Strati, participated in the official launch of the Student Enrichment Program at the Ontario Tech University campus, including a panel on net zero transition and talent implication. CNL was also pleased to introduce students to members of its recruitment team at a career networking event, and Dr. Naid Khumsa-Ang delivered a talk on new nuclear technology innovation to the Nuclear Power Systems class (fourth year course).
“Engineers play a crucial role in mobility electrification and the integration of different technologies like hydrogen, renewables, natural gas and nuclear to support the transformation of the energy sector,” says Dr. Hossam Kishawy, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University. “These expanded learning opportunities to relate classroom learning to real-world experiences will advance the career-readiness of Ontario Tech undergraduate and graduate engineering students.”
In 2023, CNL launched its Academic Partnership Program to advance Canadian research priorities and cultivate a more talented and diverse workforce within the Canadian nuclear industry as part of CNL’s Vision 2030 strategy. Currently, the program includes seven academic partners, each formalized with the signing of tripartite Memorandum of Understanding agreements with both CNL and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. In addition to creating more dynamic learning opportunities for students and workforce recruitment, the program is also dedicated to advancing shared research priorities and access to resources and facilities.
Photo caption: Attending the program launch (L-R): Jen Alsop, Director, Brilliant Energy Institute, Ontario Tech; Elly Shobeiri, Deputy Project Director, Darlington Refurbishment Project, Aecon; Michelle Miller- Director, RIMS, AtkinsRéalis; Gina Strati, Director of CNL’s Academic Partnership Program, CNL; Diane Trotter, HR Business Operations Partner, Westinghouse Canada; Stacia Boss, Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Services, Elexicon Energy
