Co-op Students Tour Bruce B Hydro One Switchyard

Posted on 11/02/2023

A group of 17 students from this semester’s secondary school Co-operative Education program at Bruce Power recently had the privilege of touring the Bruce B Hydro One switchyard.
Chris Poole, Station Services Switchyard Coordinator and Liaison for Hydro One at Bruce Power, hosted the students with an overview of the vital role that Hydro One plays on-site in the transmission of electricity to Ontario and the United States.  Hydro One’s state-of-the-art gas-insulated switchgear building at Bruce B is currently the largest in Canada, and in the words of Chris Poole, it is “an engineering marvel.”  As the world’s largest nuclear energy producer, Bruce Power accommodates approximately a third of the province’s energy demands on any given day.  A key partner in delivering electricity to the province, Hydro One has a highly skilled work force that is critical and deeply valued at Bruce Power.

Every year, Bruce Power hosts 42 secondary co-op students, 21 each semester, from Bluewater District School Board and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board.  With eight reactors, Bruce Power has incredible opportunities for students in experiential learning with a chance to complete four co-op credits during the semester.  All personal protective equipment required is generously provided by Bruce Power, including composite boots, hard hats, safety glasses, and flame retardant coveralls.  Tour opportunities for students are an exciting way to augment the specialized learning and skill development they are acquiring in their co-op placements. 

Recently, Heather McIntosh Grant, Manager in Human Resources (Talent Recruitment) at Bruce Power emphasized to Co-op Teacher Michelle McIver the importance of recognizing the valuable contributions of the many companies that are represented on-site.  Highlighting these companies as exciting employment options in the skilled trades and technical professions at the Bruce Power site during discussions with students, teachers, and parents/guardians is very important.

While addressing the students in the Bruce B Switchyard Relay Room, Hydro One Technologist Tyson McIver shared his career path, which included working as a residential electrician apprentice, three years of studies in Electrical Techniques at Connestoga College, and obtaining his Red Seal as a construction and maintenance electrician with Hydro One.  Both Tyson and Chris were excited to be part of a dynamic presentation that sparked the interest of the students and provided them with significant career perspective.

Sophia Fuller, a student at Kincardine District Senior School (mechanical maintenance co-op) was especially appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the tour, which excited her to be following in the footsteps of several family generations of employees at Bruce Power.  Sophia's passion for power generation and family legacy was evident with Chris recounting his experience working with her grandfather when he was first assigned to the switchyard.

Another student plans to attend Georgian College in January in the hopes of becoming an electrical technologist.

Grade 11 and 12 students seeking more information about secondary co-op opportunities can contact their school’s guidance counsellor or email [email protected].  Please note that applications are now due for the next school year’s program in March.  Parent/guardian and student information sessions will take place at local secondary schools this December.