Transition into the nuclear sector
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Ontario Tech University have partnered to deliver the Nuclear Career Accelerator Program in Western Canada.
The Nuclear Career Accelerator Program provides foundational training in nuclear systems and safety and regulatory frameworks.
The program, developed in collaboration with leading industry experts, prepares mid-career engineers and technical professionals from oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure and other industries to transition into high-demand nuclear roles.
The 11-week program is delivered fully online and does not include live lectures. The program is self-directed and self-paced, but must be completed by the completion date.
Nuclear skills training delivery can be fully customized to meet the needs of employers
with teams of all sizes. To discuss options or to register multiple employees, please
submit a nuclear skills custom training request.
Courses
Required courses
These four courses are required to complete the Nuclear Career Accelerator Program.
They each require a weekly time commitment of 10 to 15 hours.
Nuclear Fundamentals
Nuclear Fundamentals
- This course introduces the fundamental principles of nuclear engineering and their relevance to the Canadian nuclear power industry. Topics include the nature and types of radiation, radiation interaction with matter, decay processes, and impacts of radiation exposure to humans and the environment. The course also covers the basics of reactor core operations and nuclear power generation. Learners will explore real-world applications through problems, case studies and creative summative assessments, supported by a blend of self-paced learning experiences.
- This course provides foundational knowledge about how nuclear power plants (NPP) operate. This includes information on key systems regarding their purpose, principal components, flow path, method of control, and how they integrate with overall plant operation. It will also identify the role of the operations organization and the principal positions within that organization including the skill sets of nuclear operators. Participants will engage with self-paced materials.
- On successful completion of this course, the participant will have an understanding of the history, structure and approach to nuclear regulation in Canada. This foundational understanding will enable participants to search for and understand regulatory documents that apply to nuclear facilities. As part of the learning journey, participants will become familiar with the role of a licence to use nuclear substances in Canada and the processes that support the licence life cycle. The participant will be introduced to the expected attitudes and behaviours that are seen to be an essential part of being a nuclear professional and their role in establishing a healthy nuclear safety culture.
- This course explores the intersection of organizational performance, workforce excellence, communications and relationship management in leveraging nuclear energy for societal benefit. Learners will investigate how corporate citizenship, effective public engagement, and collaboration contribute to building social license. Through real-world nuclear project scenarios and related theories, participants will examine how external feedback informs technical performance. When combined with transparent and open communications, this creates a virtuous cycle of two-way communication that strengthens trust and performance. Learners will apply these insights to strengthen their roles as nuclear professionals, leaders, and ambassadors.
Elective courses
A minimum of three elective courses are required to complete the program. You may
choose to complete additional elective courses at no additional cost.
Elective courses require a time commitment of 5 to 7.5 hours per week, with one exception: the Nuclear Project Management Fundamentals course requires 12 hours per week.
Life Cycle Assessment
Elective courses require a time commitment of 5 to 7.5 hours per week, with one exception: the Nuclear Project Management Fundamentals course requires 12 hours per week.
Life Cycle Assessment
- Learners will gain an understanding of the key concepts of life cycle assessment (LCA) and its practical applications within the nuclear sector. Participants will explore how LCA supports sustainability and informed decision-making. Through an examination of environmental impacts across the nuclear life cycle, participants will develop a foundational understanding of how LCA results can inform sustainability efforts in nuclear-related roles.
- Learners will gain an understanding of the key concepts of life cycle assessment (LCA) and its practical applications within the nuclear sector. Participants will explore how LCA supports sustainability and informed decision-making. Through an examination of environmental impacts across the nuclear life cycle, participants will develop a foundational understanding of how LCA results can inform sustainability efforts in nuclear-related roles.
- This course equips learners with the knowledge needed to pursue outward-facing roles within companies striving to enhance their relevance and revenue in Canada’s $20B nuclear supply chain. Participants will develop business acumen by learning about the market drivers, the engineering companies, constructors, suppliers, and subcontractors that collaborate within this dynamic market. Learners will apply their knowledge in a summative assignment that simulates developing strategic business partnerships in the nuclear industry.
- This course introduces the protocols, concepts, and work methods required to execute tasks in a nuclear power environment. Learners will examine key topics including Nuclear Safety Culture, Radiation Protection (RP) Fundamentals, Security and Site Access, Regulatory and Legal Compliance, and Industrial Safety Awareness. The course culminates in a scenario-based assessment where students will apply their knowledge to the requirements for planning and executing project work during both outage and innage conditions.
- The Nuclear Project Management Fundamentals elective course requires a weekly time commitment of 12 hours.
- This course introduces learners to the cutting edge of nuclear technology through expert-led interviews focused on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and nuclear fusion. Each module features a recorded interview with a leading expert, supported by curated learning materials and interactive activities. This course offers timely insights into the technologies shaping the future of clean energy.
- This course explores the fundamental elements of radioactive waste management. The topics include defining and classifying radioactive waste, identifying common sources of radioactive waste, understanding the basic methodologies needed to safely store and ultimately dispose of radioactive waste, as well as recognizing the socioeconomic and political aspects of radioactive waste. It also outlines the key role of radioactive waste management in the future of the nuclear industry.
Registration
Our Nuclear Skills Training portfolio
Sask Polytech has partnered with multiple nuclear sector organizations to deliver a complete portfolio of training opportunities to meet the needs of professionals at any stage of their career:
- Explore the nuclear sector with National Skills Academy Nuclear (NSAN)
- Strengthen nuclear expertise with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE)
