New $2.1M training centre opens at St. Clair College’s Thames campus

With a large crowd of safety orange-clad students in attendance, the National Powerline Training Centre officially opened its doors at St. Clair College Thames Campus Friday. The $2.1-million, 600-squaremetre (6,500-square-foot) facility, which received funding from government and private partners, has been billed as a necessary step to ensure there are enough skilled workers in the booming Red Seal trade across the country. Located on Bear Line Road, the centre features flexible learning space, an indoor climbing lab, a rescue/rappelling lab, underground training, a multi-use truck bay, tool and equipment storage, and staff offices.

“I definitely had this day marked on the calendar for awhile,” said Zach Rank, a second-year student in the program. “It’s definitely a great step in the right direction for the program having this indoor facility.”

The powerline program currently has 144 first- and secondyear students, making it the largest post-secondary training centre for the trade in Ontario.

Rank, who is also president of Thames Student Inc., expects the centre will be a big draw for the program. However, he added the people are also an important part of the experience, noting the dedication of faculty.

“I love every single day,” he said. “The instructors here are first class. They know what’s relevant in the industry. Some of them even still work in the industry.” The average age of a powerline maintainer in the province is 55, which the college says underlines the urgent need for new workers in the field.

“Modern learning spaces are key to helping students develop the skills they need for the good jobs of today and tomorrow,” federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains said in a news release.

The facility encompasses four hectares (10 acres) of property right across from the Thames Campus. With the lands being traditional territory, Walpole Island First Nation Chief Dan Miskokomon also brought greetings. Patti France, college president, credited everyone involved in making the centre a reality for the school’s “ambitious and hardworking students.”