March 22, 2013 – The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) commends the Government of Canada for its 2013 budget, saying it provides strategic investments in the manufacturing sector, as well as investing in skills training that will help make Canada’s nuclear sector more competitive.

Two initiatives of note that will bolster the need for new skilled workers in the nuclear sector include The Canada Job Grant, which provides funds to help nearly 130,000 young people get the skills they need for in-demand jobs, and the Promoting Education in High-Demand Fields program, which will encourage students to undertake education in high-demand fields, including the skilled trades, science, technology, and engineering and mathematics.

“OCI is very pleased with the government’s recognition in the value of supporting the further development of a skilled workforce that is so vital to maintaining our competitiveness in Canada’s domestic nuclear industry,” said OCI president Dr. Ron Oberth. “These investments will enable Canada’s specialized nuclear manufacturing companies to acquire skilled young people to help them provide quality products to domestic and offshore nuclear customers.”

OCI is an association of 175 Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry in Canada and internationally. These companies collectively employ more than 30,000 skilled and specialized people who manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support for CANDU and other nuclear power plants in Canada and around the world. OCI companies also work on medical and other safe applications of nuclear technology.