Ontario Power Generation Cooperative Education Program
A successful in-house Cooperative Education program has been going on at Ontario Power Generation’s Nanticoke Generating Station (40 km southwest of Hamilton) since 1991 in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board and the Power Workers Union. Nanticoke Refinery has 600 employees.
Twelve to fourteen students participate in the program each semester from Grades 11 and 12. They are in a variety of placements throughout the plant including business, IT, transportation and work equipment, maintenance, HR, emergency response, engineering, plant operations, and electrical and mechanical maintenance and laboratory technology. Students divide their time between the classroom and work experience with an OPG monitor assigned to them. When scheduled for the workplace, students arrive between 7 am and 8 am so they can participate in the job planning and safety meeting at the beginning of the shift. The remainder of the time is spent in the classroom. A Grand Erie District School Board teacher is on-site full-time and two credits are offered: English and a Business Studies course.
Background
Initially, two Boards of Education were involved - Haldimand County School Board and Norfolk County School Board. The program started off with the eight participating schools and two teachers on-site, one teaching a morning class and the other teaching an afternoon class. Twenty-five to thirty students were involved during both semesters, with 12 to15 students in each class. Most semesters, there have been 12 to15 students participating, although the lowest number was eight.
In 1993, the Norfolk Board of Education withdrew from the program for budgetary reasons. The Haldimand Board remained involved and five schools participated in the Coop program. Three years ago, the Haldimand, Brant County and Norfolk Boards amalgamated into the Grand Erie District School Board. Now, the program draws students from 10 to12 schools. However, distance prevents some schools from participating and one of the biggest obstacles is transportation. Students have to get to the site on their own since transportation is not provided.
Investment by OPG and Grand Erie District School Board into the Coop program
With 13 years’ experience, the program generally runs smoothly. There is an extensive three day orientation at the beginning of each semester with a special focus on workplace health and safety.
OPG Human Resources staff take an active role in overseeing the Coop program. They liaise with the on-site teacher and ensure that students are satisfied and performing well in their placements. OPG’s agreement with the School Board has recently been renewed.
Benefits of the Coop Program Partnership
Both the School Board and Ontario Power Generation have benefited greatly from their partnership. Each year, up to 30 students receive an excellent cooperative education experience and learn a wide variety of useful skills that will help them when they enter the workforce. Ontario Power Generation benefits from having a positive profile in the community as well as staff development benefits that result when monitors share their skills to train and supervise students.
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