One of the most popular programs in the college’s recent history cut the ribbon on its new facility on October 19, when the National Powerline Training Centre (NPTC) celebrated its Grand Opening.
The construction of the new, $2.1 million building was bankrolled by the federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, and a number of public and private partners.
The Centre is the training base for students in the Powerline Technician program and the Powerline Maintainer-Red Seal Trade program.
“This partnership between education, government, and private-sector industries demonstrates how Canada can effectively address its skilled trades gap,” said St. Clair President Patti France. “It’s a win/win situation: the Canadian economy is enhanced by this infusion of new technicians, and the students obtain rewarding and in-demand careers. St. Clair is proud to be serving both the nation and young people with this program, and can more effectively do so with this state-of-the-art new facility now in place”.
In addition to the federal funding, she noted, “Chatham-Kent’s municipal government and the area’s Community Foundation have also provided generous donations to the development of this facility. Public utilities, private-sector energy companies, and electrical industry suppliers have enthusiastically supported the program from Day One, providing curriculum development advice, instructional expertise, work-placements for our students, and equipment donations.”
In a letter read during the Grand Opening by college Vice-President of Communications and Community Relations John Fairley, federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains stated, “Modern learning spaces are key to helping students develop the skills they need for the good jobs of today and tomorrow. Our government’s investment in St. Clair College is another step forward in our plan to boost innovation and grow the Canadian economy.”
The 6,500-square-foot facility on ten acres on Bear Line Road offers flexible learning space with an indoor climbing lab, rescue/repelling lab, underground training lab, with multi-use truck bay space, tool and equipment storage, and staff offices.
Currently, the program has an enrolment of 144 first- and second-year Powerline students, making it the largest postsecondary training centre for this trade in the Ontario. The Centre is also approved to offer Level I & II of the 434A Powerline Technician apprenticeship trade through its partnership with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.
“The National Powerline Training Centre is an investment in individuals who will work in the power sector, supporting our industry and communities,” said Chatham Campus Academic Studies Chair Mark Benoit. “The Centre’s development involved various levels of government, local business and industry, and the college, in partnership, to develop this much needed facility”.
New tradespeople are desperately needed in this essential field because the average age of Powerline Technicians in Ontario currently sits at 55 years old. Like many trades, this is indicative of the looming “skilled trades gap”: a great many “Baby-Boomer-era” retirements are imminent in the infrastructure building and maintenance trades within the next decade, but not enough young people are currently enrolled in educational programs to replace those workers.
Reflecting on the job security of this and other trades, France noted, “As graduates build a satisfying and successful career for themselves, they will also be building a stronger economy for Canada. Maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure of this nation is essential to its comfort and growth. No element of that infrastructure is as fundamental as its energy system. New-and-improved hospitals, housing, businesses and industries – and, yes, colleges and schools – none of that can occur unless an efficient, secure and reliable power system is in place. It is the students educated in this new facility who will lay that groundwork – or that way-above-the-ground-work.”
For more information about the Powerline Technician program, check out http://www.stclaircollege.ca/programs/postsec/powerline_technician/
For more information about the Powerline Technician apprenticeship, check out https://www.ihsa.ca/training/services.aspx
