Symposium 2025: Nuclear Workforce Training and Supply Chain Event

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Help shape a nuclear workforce that’s sustainable, skilled and future-ready.

Join us for a thought-provoking symposium focused on the future of Western Canada’s nuclear workforce, presented by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA).

This symposium will bring together industry experts, stakeholders, policymakers and others to explore the evolving needs of Western Canada’s nuclear sector. 

A key focus will be on establishing sustainable, scalable workforce training and development, and strengthening the nuclear supply chain. Attendees will engage in discussions regarding or on best practices, emerging technologies and collaborative strategies that support a resilient and future-ready nuclear industry. 

Symposium 2025 provides a valuable forum for connection, insight and impact—empowering participants to help shape the future of Western Canada’s nuclear workforce.

Elders, keynotes and facilitators

Elders

Rick Daniels

Elder

Biography

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Rick Daniels

Elder Rick Daniels is originally from the Mistawasis Nehiyawak First Nation. He is a residential school survivor, having attended St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, SK from kindergarten to grade five. His father worked on the railroad and the family moved frequently after Elder Rick left residential school. They moved to Saskatoon in 1962, and Elder Rick has lived there ever since. Elder Rick attended St. Paul’s High School for grades nine and ten, then quit school to work.

At age 25 he started to work in the electrical trade, attending training in Moose Jaw and working mostly in Saskatoon for about 11 years. After working on different jobs after leaving the electrical trade, Elder Rick was encouraged by friends to go to university. He attended First Nations University of Canada and completed his Bachelor of Social Work degree and Arts degree in 1991. Elder Rick took a job with SIAST (Kelsey) in 1992, which is now Saskatchewan Polytechnic. He worked as an educational counsellor in the Basic Education program for 22 years, retiring in 2014. About two years later he was asked to do some work for Sask Polytech, which led to more requests for different programs. He continues to be involved with Sask Polytech and loves it.

Keynote speakers 

David M. Brock

Vice President, Nuclear Development with SaskPower

Biography

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David M. Brock

David M. Brock is Vice President, Nuclear Development with SaskPower. Previously, David was Vice President, Energy Security at Crown Investments Corporation and before that Assistant Deputy Minister for Climate Change with the provincial Ministry of Environment; prior to moving to Saskatchewan in 2017, David worked in Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Ottawa.

David studied government at Dalhousie University, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Western Ontario, and he holds the ICD.D designation after completing the Directors Education Program at the University of Toronto. David is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and he teaches and writes on the machinery of government in Canada. From 2023-2025, David was co-chair of the national Nuclear Energy Leadership Table.

Jamie White

EDF – Nuclear Skills Alliance – Construction Capability
National College for Nuclear – Board Member
Chair Nuclear Skills Forum – ECITB
Council Member – ECITB
QSi Ambassador

Biography

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Jamie White

Jamie has been involved in skill and training throughout his working life, starting with a 20 year career as an officer in the RAF. He served in a number of war zones where leadership and meticulous planning were the expectation. He was involved in Battle Management, Intelligence and Flight Operations as well as United Nations Peacekeeping and NATO Ambassadorial roles.  

Jamie then joined the CITB, holding a number of senior roles in his 10 year tenure, including the Head of the National Skills Academy for Construction. During that time he was involved in many large scale projects including TTT, the Olympic 2012 build, Highways Agency projects (M25 widening) and Building Schools for the Future.

He joined EDF in 2014 as their Central Training Manager for HPC and has held roles such as the Construction and On-Boarding Manager as well as Senior Strategic Partnership Manager, working both directly for HPC and the wider EDF business. He was responsible for many strategic developments including the Apprenticeship Strategy and ECITB Levy considerations as well as the ‘Centres of Excellence’ concept and many training developments associated with HPC construction.  

With a wealth of knowledge around funding, Labour Market Intelligence and a reputation for achievement, He now is now also supporting SZC on their pre mobilisation plans. Jamie is also the EDF Board member for the NCFN and the Regional Chair for Nuclear – ECITB as well as a QSI Ambassador.

Jodi Stringer

Dean of Engineering Technologies, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, and Information Technology at NBCC

Biography

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Jodi Stringer

As Dean of Engineering Technologies, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, and Information Technology at NBCC, Jodi oversees academic programming across multiple campuses. Her career spans municipal engineering and operations management with the City of Saint John, as well as secondary school teaching in Ontario. She holds multiple degrees from UNB and continues to pursue professional development through graduate studies and leadership certifications. Jodi is the 2025 recipient of APEGNB’s Women in Engineering award.

Kyle Ross

Academic Chair, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Technologies at NBCC's School of Engineering Technologies

Biography

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Kyle Ross

As the Academic Chair overseeing the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Technologies for NBCC's School of Engineering Technologies, Kyle's portfolio covers academic programming for Chemical Technology, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Power Engineering Technology, Process Control Technician, and Welding Engineering technology.

He has a M.Ed.in Adult Education, as well as B.Ed. and B.Sc. degrees from the University of New Brunswick. Before becoming an instructor at the New Brunswick Community College in 2013, his early career was spent as a nuclear medicine technologist in New Brunswick and California.

Thomas Docherty

Head of Nuclear, ECITB

Biography

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Thomas Docherty

Thomas is responsible for the ECITB’s strategy for the nuclear sector and leads on the Training Board’s senior engagement with key stakeholders, including the UK Government and its agencies, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, EDF and Sizewell C. His remit also covers engagement with senior supply chain representatives, trade unions, training providers and other partner bodies. He is the Deputy Chair of the UK’s Nuclear Skills Plan Provider Coordinating Body, part of the Skills Plan governance arrangements.

The ECITB is the statutory skills, standards and qualifications body for the nuclear sector. It is an Arms-Length Body (ALB) of the UK Government’s Department for Education, funded by levy paid by in scope employers in the Engineering Construction Industry.

Thomas began his professional career working for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd in 2002, before moving to Network Rail as the Communications Manager for Civil Engineering Projects. 

He was the Member of Parliament for Dunfermline & West Fife 2010-15, serving on the House of Commons Defence and Environment Select Committees, and was a Shadow Minister 2013-15.  

In his spare time, Thomas is on the Boards of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and the Fife Law Centre. He is the lay member appointed by Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Civil Justice Council, the statutory body that drafts the rules for all civil courts for Scotland. He regularly participates in and volunteers at his local Parkrun in Dunfermline.

Breakout session facilitators

Tricia Austin

Managing Director, National Skills Academy Nuclear (NSAN)

Biography

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Tricia Austin

I have been with NSAN since 2008 and I’m a highly skilled leader, manager and engineering professional with over 28 years in the energy, defence and utilities sectors.  I have a unique mix of experience in both the private and public sectors with considerable skills in managing the complex interface between the two and have worked on and delivered multi-faceted projects in this complex environment in a diverse range of areas – strategic, technical, education and skills – there isn’t anything that I can’t find some sort of a solution for or make the right connection! 
 
Away from work if I’m not being a taxi to two “teenagers”, I’ll be either at the gym, away in our VW camper with our beloved dog or in the kitchen practicing my “bake off” skills…..which normally involves me saying yes to a project I often regret from wedding cakes to birthday cakes. 

Nicola Wallwork

Operations Director, National Skills Academy Nuclear (NSAN)

Biography

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Nicola Wallwork

I joined NSAN in May 2016 as a Client Relationship Manager, working as part of the Operations Team supporting our members in navigating skills and delivering training interventions. In June 2023, I proudly stepped into the role of Operations Director, overseeing a dedicated team that delivers skills, training, and competency management solutions to members and the wider nuclear industry. I also serve as company secretary and sit on the NSAN Board, helping shape the strategic direction of our organisation. 
 
Before life at NSAN, I spent several years immersed in the world of education and training, helping companies embrace work-based learning and apprenticeships. However, my true passion lies in recruitment, which is where my career began after university. For over a decade, I successfully ran my own recruitment business, developing skills in building relationships and managing talent. Today, I apply these skills to benefit NSAN’s membership and customers, always focused on connecting people and creating opportunities for growth. 
 
Outside of work, life is just as eventful. I have two amazing adult children, who keep me grounded, entertained, and occasionally remind me how out of touch I am with whatever new thing is trending online! When I’m not trying to keep up with them, I’m enjoying exploring new destinations and discovering the thrill of new experiences—whether that’s diving into a new hobby or traveling to places I’ve never been. I believe that life is a continuous adventure, and I’m always looking for the next chapter to add to the story!

Agenda

Registration

Registration is closed. 

Sponsor

Thank you to our sponsor SaskPower who makes this event possible.

Contact us

Please email Ev at ev.slavin@saskpolytech.ca if you have any questions.