May 11, 2016 – Ontario Power Generation (OPG) says it will continue its support of post-secondary students in Durham Region by renewing a decade-long partnership with Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). The $5-million investment will go towards capital expenditures, educational programs, equipment, scholarships and bursaries for students at both institutions.

“We believe this partnership creates educational and research opportunities for students who go on to become leaders in our industry and our community,” said Jeffrey Lyash, OPG president and CEO.

“We are offering students access to the highest level of curricula in technical areas specific to the current nuclear industry,” Don Lovisa, Durham College president, added. “This renewed funding commitment will enable us to enhance our equipment and facilities and provide our students with a learning environment designed to prepare them for immediate entry into the workforce.”

The funding, to be provided in annual installments over the next five years, will help with the acquisition of training and mock-up equipment for both the college and university. The funding will also support the university’s nuclear-engineer-in-residence position with its faculty of energy systems and nuclear science.

The collaboration between the three organizations began in November 2005 to meet the need for ‘career-ready’ workers available for employment in the Canadian nuclear industry and provide training opportunities for OPG employees to build their skills through industry-related college and university programs.