OPG welcomes future Indigenous tradeswomen to R.H. Saunders station
At a glance
- Ten Indigenous women recently visited OPG’s R.H. Saunders Generating Station as part of a new Women in Trades program.
- The new program aims to empower women from the Mohawks of Akwesasne to take on in-demand roles in the trades.
- OPG proudly supports the program through its Power for Change Project.
A class of future Indigenous tradeswomen got a close-up look at Ontario’s second-largest hydro facility during a visit to OPG’s R.H. Saunders Generating Station (GS) in Cornwall.
In early March, station staff welcomed the cohort of 10 students and three faculty members from Iohahi:io, the Mohawks of Akwesasne’s education and training institute. The tour was part of a new six-week Women in Trades introductory training program.
OPG is proudly supporting the initiative through its Power for Change Project.
“The Women in Trades program is about creating opportunities and building confidence for women to explore careers in skilled trades,” said Amanda Cook, Pathways Manager with Iohahi:io. “Visits like this allow our students to see real workplaces, connect with industry professionals, and better understand the pathways available to them. We’re grateful to OPG for supporting the program and helping inspire the next generation of tradeswomen in Akwesasne.”
Visits like this allow our students to see real workplaces, connect with industry professionals, and better understand the pathways available to them.Amanda CookPathways Manager with Iohahi:io
With the goal to empower women in the Akwesasne community, the new program helps students explore, prepare for, and enter the skilled trades, which remain in high demand as Ontario ramps up major infrastructure programs.
It’s estimated the province will need about 28,000 new energy sector workers by 2028 to build and operate new infrastructure, including power generating stations. These roles include trades like electricians, welders, and carpenters.
This program is helping to meet the growing need for skilled workers, in addition to building a more diverse and inclusive energy workforce.
During their visit, the class toured R.H. Saunders GS, learned more about OPG, and got a chance to take a close look at the plant’s machine and welding shops.
On hand to provide her insights during the day was OPG’s Amanda Jacobs-Brothers, a Service Trades Maintainer, who got her start with the company with a summer placement at Saunders.
On a separate visit to Iohahi:io, Jacobs-Brothers shared her story and journey into the trades. As a Service Trades Maintainer, she now works with a crew of mechanical technicians to take care of equipment and components at the station.
Along with supporting educational partners like Iohahi:io, OPG is helping build Indigenous workforce capacity for the future through its Indigenous Opportunities Network (ION). Since 2018, the program that has placed more than 260 Indigenous candidates in roles throughout OPG and the energy industry.
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