May 23, 2026
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The energy was electric at the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) Advance Technology Campus as the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board hosted its highly-anticipated 2026 Skills Expo, Wednesday.
Bringing together elementary and intermediate students from across the region, the event transformed the campus’s state-of-the-art facility into a buzzing hub of innovation, technology, and skilled trades exploration.
The annual expo showcases Specialist High Skills Major programs and aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world career pathways, introducing students in Grades 7-8 to high-demand technical careers before they select their high school courses. By partnering with NII, this year's event gave students direct access to a world-class sandbox for collaboration and clean energy leadership.
The success of this year's expo relied heavily on a unique peer-to-peer mentorship model. Senior high school students from the Catholic school board spent weeks collaborating with local industry experts to design and build the interactive exhibition booths, ultimately taking on leadership roles to guide their younger peers through complex challenges on the event floor.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in practical, real-world problem-solving that tested their critical thinking and teamwork. Activities ranged from structural engineering trials to digital technology simulations and automated robotics challenges, encompassing all sectors from health and wellness, to energy, construction, arts and manufacturing.
A core mission of the expo was breaking down traditional barriers and stigmas surrounding the skilled trades. Organizers placed a strong emphasis on introducing young women and under-represented groups to high-paying, rewarding technical sectors. Set in the heart of Canada’s clean energy frontier, students discovered, first-hand, how their classroom interests link directly to critical regional employers, such as Bruce Power and its vast nuclear supply chain.
"Seeing the sparks fly — both digital and literal — is what this event is all about," said Alex Van Wieringen, superintendent of education with the school board. "By giving our younger students a chance to build, program, and create alongside high school mentors and industry pros, we are showing them that the skilled trades and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields are the future. We are incredibly grateful to the Nuclear Innovation Institute for providing the perfect venue to bring this vision to life."
The 2026 Skills Expo is part of the school board's broader commitment to experiential learning. Through programs, such as the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Majors, the board continues to build a robust pipeline of local talent equipped to meet the growing economic and labour needs of Bruce and Grey counties. The collaboration with NII highlights a shared mission to empower rural youth with the same cutting-edge educational opportunities typically found in larger urban centres.
Students with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board get some hands-on experience at the 2026 Skills Expo, held Wednesday, at the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) Advance Technology Campus
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