An agreement has been signed that is the first of its kind in Canada. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today (Mon) between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering, also known as UNENE . Other UNENE agreements have been with universities.

President and CEO of Sask Polytechnic, Dr. Larry Rosia, explains that the MOU is about working together to advance education, research and industry collaboration within the nuclear sector.  UNENE is working on micro-credentials for Sask Polytech to help skilled workers transition into the nuclear industry. Rosia says, “I am really pleased to sign this MOU because it is also a signal of the way to collaborate with the university sector as well. This isn’t an either/or. It’s all about universities and polytechnics working together to bring both of our strengths to the table.” He describes the skills needed for the nuclear industry as kind of like a pyramid. “At the top of the pyramid are the physicists, the engineers, the PhDs, but as you work down the pyramid, it’s the technicians, the technologists, the apprentices that are going to be required to build, operate, maintain, decommission, safety for all of these facilities.”

President of UNENE, Jerry Hopwood, says nuclear enterprise is growing in Canada and with that expansion, people with the skills to do the work are needed. The network began in the provinces where nuclear is already happening – in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. But he adds, “We realize that the centre of gravity is moving to the west and that Saskatchewan is taking a leading part. We appreciate the fact that the Polytechnic has come out and worked with us to identify areas for cooperation.”

Also through the MOU, Sask Polytech and UNENE will look at extending collaboration to other polytechnics and colleges in other provinces to meet the growing demand in the nuclear sector.