OPG’s CCNS planning for the future decommissioning workforce

OPG’s Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS) and its partners are leading the way to innovative and sustainable decommissioning as Pickering Nuclear Generating Station plans for the end of its nuclear lifecycle.

With safety as the top priority, OPG plans for every step of the nuclear energy production process, including decommissioning of its stations.

Decommissioning a nuclear plant is a complex mega-infrastructure project that requires an extensive workforce with a wide array of job functions. As part of this process, CCNS Industry Catalyst partner Cavendish Nuclear has launched a study on the workforce demands to perform decommissioning work.

The study will identify the future skillsets required for decommissioning and the forecast of demand during the decommissioning timeline. It will also consider current and future large infrastructure projects planned throughout the province that could impact industry workforce capacity.

Cavendish Nuclear has done similar work on a decommissioning project in the UK and will use that experience to inform this study as they expand their Canadian footprint.

“Early identification will help reveal any gaps that might exist and allow for time to build up the workforce through training programs,” said Sabrina Nestor, Manager of the CCNS. “The CCNS could also expand to provide a platform to exchange ideas and best practices at a global level.”

OPG has the opportunity now to identify skills that will be required in the future and develop solid plans to fill any gaps by building the workforce through skilled training for nuclear decommissioning projects, Nestor added.

About Cavendish Nuclear:

Cavendish Nuclear operates within the nuclear energy sector and is a business unit of Babcock Canada. Cavendish Nuclear delivers across all aspects of the nuclear energy lifecycle, committed to expanding international capabilities to build a sustainable future through nuclear energy.

To learn more about Cavendish Nuclear, visit their CCNS Partner spotlight.