On April 11, members of a newly-formed committee, known as PowerTech, signed an agreement with respect to the education and training of powerline apprentices. Through PowerTech, students in Cambrian College's Powerline Technician program will  become registered and sponsored apprentices; they will complete some of the in-school requirements of their trade; and they will gain on-the-job experience through co-op placements, while also earning a postsecondary diploma in the trade.

 

PowerTech is the first new local apprenticeship committee formed in the province in the last 15 years. Its mandate is to address skills shortages in the industry and to ensure the on-going availability of qualified employees for a range of positions within the powerline industry.

 

The PowerTech committee consists of members Dean Gatien, Chair (Powertel), Brian McMillan, Vice-chair (Greater Sudbury Hydro), Jim Furchner, Secretary (Anixter), and Brian Rachkowski, Executive Member (CVRD- Inco).  External advisors for the committee are Geoffrey Dalton, Dean, School of Computer and Engineering Technology, Cambrian College , and Lisa Heffern, Training Consultant, Labour Market and Training Division, MTCU.