January 3, 2023 – Local distribution company GrandBridge Energy donated three used utility vehicles to Conestoga College to enhance the school’s fleet of training vehicles for its Powerline Technician Program.

Representatives from GrandBridge Energy’s Operations Team, including GrandBridge’s apprentice powerline technicians, were on hand in Ingersoll, Ont., to hand over the keys to the vehicles.

“The donation of the fleet vehicles is part of a broader relationship that GrandBridge Energy has proudly nurtured with Conestoga College over the past several years,” said Ian Miles, president & CEO, GrandBridge Energy. “We continue to support learning opportunities and are very proud to play a role in the future success of our industry.”

As part of GrandBridge Energy’s practice of replacing older vehicles that are no longer suitable for commercial use, three vehicles were flagged from the utility’s fleet inventory for donation, including a GMC Sierra crew cab pickup truck, a Ford F-150 extended cab pickup truck and a single-axle pole trailer.

“Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of trades and apprenticeship training, and this generous donation means that we will continue to ensure students learn and train with the most current technology and up-to-date equipment […],” said Angelo Cosco, chair, School of Trades and Apprenticeship, Conestoga College.

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“Having access to up-to-date utility equipment in the Conestoga training program was invaluable in helping me gain practical fieldwork experience, develop vital skills and be confident when I encounter real-life situations in the workplace,” said Karl Schroeder, a recent program graduate and powerline technician apprentice at GrandBridge.

GrandBridge Energy Inc. was formed in May 2022, the result of the merger of the former Brantford Power Inc. and Energy+ Inc. It serves 109,000 customers in the cities of Brantford and Cambridge, the County of Brant, and the Township of North Dumfries.