December 15, 2008 - Hydro One wins Colleges Ontario Award

Hydro One is one of seven winners of this year’s Colleges Ontario Awards, which recognize significant achievements in advancing college education in Ontario.

“This province and its industries are facing an enormous shortage of workers as baby boomers retire over the next few decades," said Rosemary Knechtel, vice-president of academic at Mohawk College, which nominated Hydro One for the award. "Hydro One has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to be proactive, to the benefit of our colleges, our students and our society."

Hydro One is facing the retirement of 30 per cent of its workforce within five years. To help produce greater numbers of highly skilled people to fill those positions, Hydro One collaborated with four colleges – Algonquin, Georgian, Mohawk and Northern – on a strategy to create more education and training opportunities.

Hydro One is investing $3 million in scholarships and bursaries, curriculum development and equipment for students in two- and three-year Engineering Technology programs.

“This is an important partnership that provides real opportunities for students,” Knechtel said. “We are pleased to see Hydro One being honoured with this award.”

The Colleges Ontario Awards were established in 2000 to recognize individuals, organizations and volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Ontario’s college system. The awards are presented in categories such as student leadership, student innovation, distinguished service and more.

"The awards recognize passionate and innovative leaders,” said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "The winners are people who are helping colleges to deliver the best education and training possible.”

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