October 21, 2014 – “This is a unique approach to training more power engineers locally that will provide students with a career option that’s rewarding and close to home,” said SaskPower president and CEO Robert Watson.

He was referring to a new partnership between the utility and the Prairie South School Division that aims to provide high school students with the skills they need to pursue careers in power engineering earlier than ever.

Watson said SaskPower is facing a potential shortage of power engineers in coming years as many senior employees retire while the company builds and renews infrastructure to serve a growing customer base.

“Students in our smaller centres often believe that they have to go a long way from home to study a career,” said Barbara Compton, superintendent of operations for Prairie South. “This new partnership brings exciting options to their doorstep and puts students in a great position right out of high school.”

The program is currently offered to Grade 11 and 12 students at the Coronach, Assiniboia and Rockglen high schools, and includes online training through Prairie South and work experience at the Poplar River Power Station in Coronach.

The goal is to offer the program to all Prairie South students in 2015 and, potentially, to all Saskatchewan schools in 2016. Students that complete both years of the course will have the opportunity to write their 5th Class Power Engineer certificate and obtain industry-recognized certification.