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Durham College joins four post-secondary institutions to form Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium

Durham College (DC) has joined forces with four leading Ontario post-secondary institutions to help meet Canada’s growing clean energy and nuclear workforce demands. Together with Centennial College, Georgian College, Humber Polytechnic, and Ontario Tech University, DC has officially committed to signing a Memorandum of Understanding that will establish the Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium (CCEW).

The consortium will collaborate on a co-ordinated workforce development strategy including the design, delivery and scaling of education and training programs to prepare learners for careers across the nuclear and renewable energy sectors. As Canada accelerates its transition to a clean energy economy, demand for skilled talent continues to grow. Industry estimates indicate that beginning in 2030, close to 40,000 new workers will be required across Canada’s nuclear sector to support new build, refurbishment, and the broader clean energy transition. The CCEW partnership represents a unified commitment to work closely with industry and government partners, aligning education and training with employer timelines and national priorities.

“Durham College is proud to partner with Centennial, Georgian, Humber, and Ontario Tech, in a coordinated new model of collaboration focused on shaping the future of Canada’s clean energy workforce,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “Our strength at DC is in hands-on, career-ready education aligned with labour-market demands, and strong employer partnerships. Through the Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium, we are building on that foundation — creating new opportunities for students, supporting innovation, and contributing to a resilient, future-ready workforce and ensuring Canada is well-positioned to lead in the transition to a clean energy future.”

Guided by an Industry Advisory Council, the consortium leverages the complementary strengths of each institution to support training and upskilling in priority areas including:

  • Skilled trades
  • Nuclear operations and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) support
  • Cybersecurity and digital infrastructure
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Microgrids and smart grids
  • Artificial intelligence applications in energy

While post-secondary program development can take years to move from concept to scale, the coordinated approach of the Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium is intended to accelerate program development and responsiveness. This model enables faster program approvals, shared applied research opportunities for industry, and high-quality, experiential, job-ready learning for students.

Domestically, the partnership enables a coordinated approach to pursuing funding opportunities, while offering industry and learners a single, streamlined point of access. Credentials, ranging from micro-credentials to graduate programs, will help strengthen workforce pathways in Canada and support broader collaboration opportunities internationally. While CCEW partners are currently Ontario‑based, the consortium expects to expand to include institutions from across Canada.

Internationally, the consortium will develop a capacity building framework to support emerging nuclear economies including Indonesia and the Philippines, delivering workforce training programs in partnership with Canadian industry.

Durham College and University of the Highlands and Islands launch renewable energy training partnership

Durham College (DC) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are launching a joint online Renewable Energy Project Management program this fall, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals as the renewable energy sector continues to expand.

The first initiative to emerge from a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during a recent DC visit to UHI House in Inverness, the program will combine expertise from both institutions to help learners develop the project management knowledge and sector awareness needed to advance renewable energy projects.

“Partnering with UHI allows us to bring global expertise directly to learners in the renewable energy sector. There is an immediate need for training that equips professionals with the expertise required to drive sustainable energy projects forward, and this collaboration helps us meet that need,” says Robin Young, Managing Director, Business and Workforce Development, Corporate Training Services at DC.

The MOU builds on discussions between the two institutions over the past several months, with leaders exploring opportunities to collaborate on programs that address evolving industry needs.

During the visit, representatives from both institutions also met with academic and institutional leaders to explore broader opportunities for collaboration in training, education and industry engagement.

“UHI is committed to working with partners around the world to develop the skills needed for the energy transition. Our approach is based on sharing our experience while learning from others working in similar contexts internationally, helping to support new and innovative approaches to renewable energy development. This partnership with Durham College brings together international expertise to create learning opportunities that will help professionals plan and deliver renewable energy projects while supporting workforce development in the regions we serve here in the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire of Scotland and beyond,” added Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of the Highlands and Islands.

For DC, the agreement reflects a continued focus on developing international partnerships that connect industry, training, and education. Through engagement with global partners, the college will expand opportunities for learners while advancing workforce development in emerging sectors.

Durham College joins Canada-ASEAN Business Council Nuclear Energy Working Group

Durham College (DC) has joined the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) Nuclear Energy Working Group, creating new opportunities to help shape the future of global energy workforce development.

Through this new partnership, DC will contribute to critical conversations about nuclear energy, clean power, and the upskilling and reskilling required to support a rapidly evolving global energy sector. The collaboration underscores DC’s role as a leader in applied, industry-aligned education and reinforces its commitment to supporting innovation, sustainability and economic growth at home and abroad.

“Joining the CABC Nuclear Energy Working Group reflects Durham College’s commitment to supporting Canada’s leadership in clean energy and workforce development,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President, Durham College. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to contribute our expertise on a global stage, strengthen international relationships, and help shape the skills and talent strategies that will power the future of energy.”

The CABC, Canada’s only entity officially associated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), works to strengthen trade and investment between Canada and Southeast Asia. As a member of the Nuclear Energy Working Group, DC will engage in knowledge sharing, partnership development and sector-specific initiatives that support workforce readiness in highly regulated, safety-critical industries.

DC’s Corporate Training Services (CTS) will lead the college’s involvement, with a primary focus on workforce development for the energy sector. This includes customized training solutions for industry and government partners, as well as potential research and innovation collaborations through the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“We are pleased to welcome Durham College as a member of our Nuclear Energy Working Group. Durham College’s applied expertise in nuclear energy, green technologies, and industry-aligned training brings a practical, workforce-focused perspective that is essential as Southeast Asian countries advance their clean energy ambitions,” said Wayne Farmer, CABC President. “Their strengths in capacity building and curriculum development will add meaningful value to the Working Group’s efforts to support nuclear deployment and long-term energy transition across the region.”

For students, the long-term impact could include expanded partnerships, new co-op and work placement opportunities, and more industry-focused applied research projects. Insights gained through the working group will also help inform future programming and curriculum development, ensuring graduates are equipped with the skills needed in a growing sector that continues to see significant investment worldwide.

DC celebrates opening of Energy Innovation Centre and completion of geothermal field

On October 22, Durham College (DC) celebrated the completion of its geothermal field and grand opening of its Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), which together leverage clean, sustainable underground thermal energy for the heating and cooling of the college’s Gordon Willey building.

“This facility is such a great addition to our Oshawa campus,” said Marianne Marando, associate vice-president, Academic at DC. “Not only will the Energy Innovation Centre work in tandem with our green initiatives to reduce the college’s carbon footprint, but it will do so while providing our students with a unique living lab that offers both a self-guided learning experience for all students and experiential learning opportunities for students in select programs.”

Stephane Chayer, vice-president of Smart Infrastructure at Siemens Canada spoke on behalf of the organization at the opening and presented DC with a cheque for $27,500 – a grant awarded via the Siemens Empower Sustainability Education program that will further assist DC in its applied learning student opportunities. Siemens Canada is the primary contractor and industry partner for the geothermal project and EIC and provided valuable expertise throughout the entire process.

“We’re very appreciative of our relationship with Durham College and proud that they chose Siemens as their partner to help make the geothermal field and Energy Innovation Centre a reality,” said Stephane Chayer, vice-president of Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Canada. “DC is a trailblazing Ontario institution in its commitment to sustainability leadership, innovation and applied learning – we’re confident that this project positively contributes to Durham’s energy transformation on campus.” 

Open to students, employees and the public, the EIC facility provides an exhibit-like atmosphere where visitors can learn more about how the geothermal system works through signage and interactive touch screen monitors that feature system diagrams and performance metrics. Additionally, a real-time energy dashboard provides insight on campus energy savings and the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions.

This project is just part of the ongoing transformation of DC’s energy infrastructure to support and implement sustainably focused initiatives on campus. This past year, the college’s Centre for Collaborative Education achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED®) Gold level certification. Additionally, DC was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the third consecutive year in a row.

For more information on how the geothermal system at DC works, check out the video below created by Siemens Canada.

DC continues transformation of energy infrastructure on campus

With demolition of the Simcoe building complete, work is now underway on the Simcoe Geothermal Field and Innovation Centre at the Durham College (DC) Oshawa campus. Announced earlier this year, the project is part of the college’s ongoing transformation of its energy infrastructure to support and implement sustainably focused initiatives on campus.

Upon completion in April 2019, the geothermal field and connected heat pump house will harness 550 tons (1.9 megawatts) of clean, sustainable geothermal power to fuel the energy needs of the Gordon Willey building block.

While the underground geothermal system and connected Innovation Centre will provide environmental benefits to DC, the greater campus community will also benefit from what is above ground – a beautiful new greenspace similar to Polonsky Commons, which is also located on the Oshawa campus.

Additionally, the Simcoe Geothermal Field and Innovation Centre will create opportunities to act as living labs that provide new experiential learning opportunities. Working with knowledge partner Siemens, who is also the primary contractor for the geothermal field, students will explore green-energy technologies and careers while faculty will receive assistance in developing lessons incorporating geothermal technology into the curriculum.

New signage is now on display around the construction zone, featuring information about the geothermal field. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/geothermal to learn more about geothermal energy as part of DC’s commitment and action to support sustainable and environmentally responsible operations.

DC rewarded for conserving energy

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