Launch of millwright program brings inclusion, workforce development to Bruce County

In a ground-breaking step to close workforce gaps and promote diversity in skilled trades, Build a Dream, Bruce Power and the Millwright Regional Council have launched the latest “Introduction to Millwrighting” program.

With the looming retirement of 700,000 tradespeople across Canada by 2028, this program aims to create a path for local residents, particularly women, Indigenous individuals, racialized groups, and people with disabilities, into the millwrighting trade.

Held at the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s Advance Technology Campus, at the Bruce Energy Centre northwest of Tiverton, the launch Monday brought together leaders in industry, government, and the community to mark the program’s commitment to workforce sustainability and inclusivity.

Kincardine deputy mayor Andrea Clarke joined representatives from program partners, the Millwright Regional Council, Build a Dream, Bruce Power, Local 1592 (Sarnia), and the Adult Learning Centre, to speak on the importance of local economic growth and workforce development.

This cohort, which is comprised of 50 per cent women, provides participants with intensive hands-on training over six weeks, equipping them with critical skills in math, spatial reasoning, and communication. After four weeks of practical millwright training, graduates will have the chance to join the millwright union and step into roles in Bruce County’s booming industries, such as power generation and manufacturing.



The launch of the “Introduction to Millwrighting” program was held Monday at the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s Advance Technology Campus in the Municipality of Kincardine; photos by Build a Dream

“This initiative embodies our commitment to breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities in skilled trades for under-represented groups,” said Nour Hachem, president of Build a Dream. “Our partnership with the Millwright Regional Council and Bruce Power is critical for building a more diverse workforce, and we are proud to support program participants as they take their first steps into rewarding careers.”

With a graduation ceremony scheduled for Dec. 20, the program actively works to reshape the skilled trades landscape by bridging the gender gap and adding more women to the millwrighting industry.

"Partnering with Build a Dream to create a millwright program that brings in under-represented groups is a step toward a stronger, more inclusive workforce," said Mark Beardsworth, executive secretary-treasurer of the Millwright Regional Council. “We are committed to giving all participants the tools they need to succeed in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the community.”

This program is also a valuable part of Bruce Power’s commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates. By creating opportunities in Bruce County, Bruce Power is continuing its mission to provide clean, reliable energy and life-saving medical isotopes to Ontario and beyond.



The launch of the “Introduction to Millwrighting” program was held Monday at the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s Advance Technology Campus in the Municipality of Kincardine