The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) has purchased a 33,000 square foot facility in Kincardine with plans to create a state-of-the-art skilled trades training and applied research hub.
The Institute purchased the building in Kincardine’s Bruce Energy Centre in April. It's right across from the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre.
The plan is to convert it to a high quality facility outfitted to deliver electricity generation and construction programs. The centre is expected to give workers the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated and digital economy. It will have programs featuring emerging technologies like robotics and virtual reality.
The institute will also use the space for innovation projects that require test facilities for the new technologies in the nuclear industry. Bruce Power, the Power Workers Union, post-secondary educational institutions, and others will work in partnership to develop and deliver the programs.
The organization expects some initial renovations will allow the training centre to begin offering courses as early as the fall of 2023. NII’s operations will continue to be based at its head office in Saugeen Shores.
“We’re thrilled to invest in a building that will become an asset for the whole community,” said NII President and CEO Bruce Wallace. “Training has been part of NII’s purpose from our inception and demonstrates our Founding Members’ deep commitment to a workforce with the skills to deliver a clean energy future.”
“Bruce Power is excited about the opportunity this new facility will offer as we embrace new thinking and technologies required to develop the workforce of the future,” said Jenn Edey, Senior Vice President, Operational Services and Business Development. “This facility will be a launching pad for skills development and new technologies that will ensure we continue to power Ontario forward with clean, reliable electricity for the long term.”