Heather Latter
A group of students in Fort Frances is working towards completing the Pre-Technology (Electrical) Ontario Certificate program being offered by Confederation College in partnership with Hydro One.
But the college is offering the program again next year and is looking to recruit people from the north to apply.
Anne Renaud, Confederation College’s director of tech-enabled learning, said Ontario’s long-term energy plan identifies investments in new transmission infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario that will require a large workforce of skilled men and women.
“We’re just trying to meet that demand,” she reasoned during an information session held Monday at the local campus, noting the college designed the program specifically for the needs of Hydro One.
“But of course, you can go into any electrical field or any other technology field after this program,” Renaud added.
“The objective of this program is really to provide training for people in the north, including First Nations, Métis, and other northern residents, to be ready to work in the electrical field because they know there is already a demand and the demand is only going to increase in this area,” she stressed.
Renaud said Confederation College prepared a pre-technology (electrical) program and this is the second time it is offering it.
“The first group went through and started last May in Thunder Bay,” she noted.
“The way that it works is the students go to Thunder Bay for a couple of months in the summer and then they come back to their local campuses for the regular semester, September to April, or they can choose to stay in Thunder Bay,” she explained.
“When you graduate from this program, you will be equipped to apply for an apprenticeship opportunities through the regular application process.”
Renaud conceded Hydro One does not guarantee that graduates will be hired.
“But it is the training that they would like to see people have that are applying to the apprenticeship programs,” she remarked, adding Hydro One has other things that they look for, as well.
Renaud said before people apply to the program, they should consider if it is for them.
“This is not an easy program,” she stressed. “It is a rigourous program that you’ll learn on the job with experienced employees.
“You must be able to work and travel across the province if you are going to become an apprentice with Hydro One or in the electrical sector,” she added.
“Some roles require working at heights.
“You will also need to be willing to work in the outdoors,” noted Renaud, adding it is physically demanding work and students must be willing to wear protective equipment, which can be heavy and constricting.
Upon completion of the course, graduates will receive their college certificate in pre-technology with a specialization in electrical, as well as a personal and career development certificate and a number of safety certificates.
Renaud noted the next course is set to start in April, with students spending the summer in Thunder Bay and then two semesters of post-secondary courses that are offered in Thunder Bay—and possibly Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, and Sioux Lookout based on enrolment.
“Our goal is to have 30 students in this group,” said Renaud.
She noted the Hydro One target is to have at least 50 percent of the students from Treaty 3 First Nations because they know there is a shortage of their employees who are hailing from Treaty 3.
“The rest of the students would come from Treaty 5 or 9 or be other northern residents, including Métis students,” Renaud said.
“I believe we did achieve that goal last year, which is fantastic,” she enthused.
Renaud said they actually took 40 students during the last intake, with some staying in Thunder Bay for the fall and winter semesters and others returning to Fort Frances and some in Kenora, as well.
She added the summer semester in Thunder Bay is fully-funded by Hydro One.
“They pay for living in residence, they pay for the meal plan, and they pay for the tuition,” Renaud said.
“So there is no cost to the students, except perhaps travel back and forth.”
However, she said the two fall and winter semester tuition must be paid for.
“[But] there are several funding options,” Renaud suggested, such as the First Nations’ education authority, United Nation Friendship Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario, Shooniya Wa-Biitong, and the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
In order to apply for the pre-technology course, Renaud said prospective students need to have their Grade 12 or equivalency (i.e., GED or mature student assessment).
“If you don’t have it, there is time between now and April to get it, so we can help you with that if you need,” she remarked.
While not required for the program, obtaining a ‘G’ driver’s licence is recommended because it is required to qualify for apprenticeships with Hydro One.
Renaud said the next step is to fill out the Confederation College application form, which must be submitted by Dec. 1.
“Because we want to be able to see how many applicants we have, and let them know as soon as possible so they can make plans to spend the summer in Thunder Bay,” she explained.
It is expected interviews and assessments will take place in December and January.
Student selection then will be done in February, with the program beginning in April.
Renaud said those involved in the course now are enjoying it—and getting a lot out of it.
“We had quite a few students who then came back here, and they are doing well and learning lots,” she noted.
“I think there’s a really big future in this pre-tech electrical field.
“We’re really excited about this program,” added Renaud. “It seems like a very good partnership between the college and Hydro One.
“We are trying to meet their needs and encourage the people from the north to get the skills they need to be successful in applying for these positions.”
Anyone with any questions about the pre-technology program can contact campus manager Sandra Turner at 274-5395.
