Helping indigenous people build nuclear careers

Ben Shaughnessy heard about the need for skilled tradespeople in the nuclear industry and knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

The millwright apprentice from Curve Lake First Nation is now working on the Darlington Refurbishment project after being contracted by OPG through the company's new Indigenous Opportunities in Nuclear (ION) program.

The ION program works with Kagita Mikam, an Indigenous employment and training agency, to recruit and place skilled and qualified members from Indigenous communities across Ontario in jobs within the fast-growing nuclear industry, including at OPG, union halls and vendor partner organizations. Funding for the program is provided by the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association.

“Deciding to work in nuclear was a big step for me,” said Shaughnessy, who applied after his dad informed him about the ION program. “There’s a lot to learn, and it was a little intimidating at first. But now, after learning about nuclear and how seriously safety is taken on site, I’m really comfortable. The plant’s a great place to work.”

By 2021, when OPG is half-way through the Darlington Refurbishment project, the demand for tradespeople like Shaughnessy will reach its peak. OPG established ION, among other capacity-building initiatives, to help ensure the project and the nuclear industry is supported by highly qualified workers.

Established in 1991, Kagita Mikam works with members from its five partner first nations, which include Wahta Mohawks, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, as well as Indigenous members across Ontario to provide training and employment.