New program at NSCC Sydney Waterfront Campus hopes to attract utility power line workers

The Nova Scotia Community College has launched a utility line worker program.

The new utility line workers program at the NSCC Sydney Waterfront Campus is hoping to attract more students from the local area.

Nevaeh Samson of Arichat, N.S., is one of the first students in the program. She said she remembers the moment when she realized she wanted to help turn the lights back on for others.

“I fished lobster with my dad, and one day we were on the step, and I watched (a neighbour) change a light on the power pole,” Samson said. “And then I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

The 18-year-old from Isle Madame is one of 30 students in the program.

The course is also offered at the Springhill campus, but Samson wanted to be closer to home.

“I had to get an apartment because I’m still from Arichat,” she said. “But still, like, it’s less of a drive.”

The one-year certificate program was brought to the Cape Breton campus with a focus on attracting students from the local area.

“The program actually was out at the Marconi Campus several years ago, probably 20 years ago,” said Dave MacLellan, a faculty instructor at NSCC Sydney Waterfront campus. “From the students, I understand there was an overflow of people trying to get into the course and there is a waiting list.”

The pilot program is a partnership with Nova Scotia Power. The utility made a financial investment on an on-campus training yard and a full pole yard for training at Nova Scotia Power’s Sydney Depot.

Nova Scotia Power said the program to address what they call urgent workforce needs.

“The electric industry in general, there is an increased requirement in demand for power line technicians, and this is North America-wide,” said Jamie Lukeman, a training manager with Nova Scotia Power.

Samson said with all the talk about demand for workers she is not worried about herself and her classmates getting hired.

“Because sometimes you come out of school and you don’t get a job, you’ve got to look and all that,” she said. “This job, there’s really a need, so I feel it won’t be terrible looking for one, like, I feel I’ll get in.”

The program’s first students are set to graduate in the fall.

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