Hydro One expects to lose up to 30 per cent of its eligible workforce through retirement in the next few years.

That’s one of the reasons why Laura Formusa (pictured), President and CEO, and other Hydro One staff, attended Georgian College’s  Barrie Campus recently – to recruit a new generation of employees.

The event builds on the partnership of Hydro One with Georgian and three other community colleges to attract and educate the future employees of the electricity transmission and distribution utility sector.

It also celebrates Hydro One’s recent investment of $750,000 in Georgian’s Electrical Engineering Technology and Technician programs. The funds are being used to expand the program curriculum to offer students the opportunity to steer their education toward the utilities sector.

After an introduction by Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College, Formusa told an audience made up of students, staff and faculty that Hydro One is in need of highly skilled, well-trained, well-educated employees. And with its reputation as a leader in Technology education, Georgian is happy to provide them.

Formusa added that not only those in electrical programs need apply. “We have lots of disciplines other than electrical,” she said.

“We’re moving into the next decade. We’re looking for innovation. We’re challenging our employees to think differently – everything will turn on technology.” Smart grids and hybrid technology are just some of the exciting developments being looked at.

When asked what courses college students should consider if they hope to embark on careers in the utilities sector, Hydro One employee Simon Crank was quick to respond.

“All the core courses I took at Georgian apply directly to my job,” Crank said. “I wasn’t sure how Computer Programming would tie in, but in my work at the Ontario Grid Control Centre, I use it all.”

Crank, a graduate of Georgian’s Electrical Engineering – Automated Systems program, was hired by Hydro One only two months after graduation.

Georgian has additional plans to increase its enrolment in Technology programs. Through its Power of Education fundraising campaign for growth, the College will be expanding its Engineering building with a major addition, to be called the Centre for Sustainable Technologies.

This facility will include labs and technology-enhanced classrooms, and will be where many engineering technicians and technologists in the province begin their journey to careers in the utilities sector.

“Partnering with community colleges to train candidates for our trades is part of a comprehensive strategy to meet our staffing needs well into the future,” said Formusa. “It’s true we’ve made a donation but it’s more than that . . . It’s our future. We hope lots of students from Barrie will come work with us.”

The Georgian College Power of Education campaign is an initiative to raise $25 million for the expansion and improvement of key program areas, including engineering technology, health sciences, skilled trades, hospitality and tourism and awards and scholarships.