Saskatchewan is stepping up its role in Canada’s nuclear energy sector as the University of Saskatchewan hosts a prestigious international training program this week.
The Canadian National Nuclear Energy Management School (NEMS), a two-week intensive offered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is being held outside Ontario for the first time. The program runs from May 26 to June 6 at the university’s Saskatoon campus.
Designed for mid-level professionals in the nuclear field, NEMS aims to deepen participants’ knowledge in areas such as safety, security, operations and licensing. Fifty students from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories were selected from more than 215 applicants nationwide.
“Our government is proud to support the Canadian National Nuclear Energy Management School at the University of Saskatchewan—an internationally respected program that is helping build local expertise and capacity in the nuclear sector,” said Jeremy Harrison, minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation. “Hosting this IAEA-led training for the first time outside Ontario reflects Saskatchewan’s growing role in advancing nuclear energy. Strategic partnerships with educational institutions and global agencies like the IAEA are essential as we work to attract and train the 2,500 to 3,500 skilled workers needed to support our province’s future in nuclear development.”
The University of Saskatchewan was chosen to host the program because of its leadership in engineering education and its advanced nuclear research infrastructure. Facilities such as the Canadian Light Source, home to the country’s only synchrotron, and the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation offer hands-on learning opportunities that few institutions can match.
"From clean energy to health care and beyond, USask has a long and distinguished history in nuclear science. Hosting NEMS underscores our mission to develop the knowledge, talent and innovation that can build a more sustainable future for all," said Dr. Baljit Singh, the university’s vice-president of research. "We look forward to hosting changemakers from across Canada during this exciting two-weeks."
Alongside coursework, students will participate in technical tours and presentations. The curriculum also addresses how to introduce nuclear power in a jurisdiction like Saskatchewan, which currently has no nuclear facilities in its electricity grid. Admission to the program required candidates to pass an initial exam; completion depends on a final assessment at the end of the session.
"SaskPower continues to assess nuclear power as a potential option to provide baseload power for a growing province and economy," said Rupen Pandya, president and CEO of SaskPower. "Building knowledge and staffing capacities is key to support a reliable and affordable electricity grid to power Saskatchewan communities, homes and industries today and into the future."
The program is supported by the University of Saskatchewan, SaskPower, Crown Investments Corporation, and Prairies Economic Development Canada.