Prime Highlights:
Four utility vehicles, including a bucket truck and a pickup truck, donated to Conestoga College’s Powerline Technician program.
Vehicles will be used at the Ingersoll Skills Training Centre, providing students with practical experience in electrical utilities.
Key Background:
Conestoga College’s Powerline Technician program has received a significant boost with the donation of four utility vehicles by GrandBridge Energy. This donation, consisting of two utility vehicles, a bucket truck, and a pickup truck, will enhance the hands-on learning experience for students at the Ingersoll Skills Training Centre, a facility equipped with a dedicated training yard for practical skill development in the electrical utilities industry.
This latest contribution follows GrandBridge Energy’s previous 2022 donation, which included a bucket truck, two pickup trucks, and an axle pole trailer. These donations are part of the energy provider’s ongoing support for Conestoga College, which has fostered a strong relationship between the two institutions. GrandBridge Energy employs many graduates from Conestoga’s Powerline Technician program and offers co-op and summer student opportunities, along with sponsoring annual student awards. Company employees also volunteer on Program Advisory Committees and actively participate in events such as the MySafeWork initiative at Conestoga’s Brantford campus.
Sarah Hughes, President and CEO of GrandBridge Energy, emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation of skilled trades professionals, stating, “Our donation of two utility vehicles reinforces the strong relationship that GrandBridge Energy and Conestoga College have built over several years. We are committed to fostering learning opportunities that will play a key role in the future success of our industry.” Angelo Cosco, Chair of the School of Trades & Apprenticeship at Conestoga, expressed gratitude for the continued generosity, noting that this donation will help students train with modern technology, better preparing them for their future careers.
Former Conestoga students and current GrandBridge apprentices, Thomas Rerrie and Ethan Bruce, who attended the donation event, shared how valuable the hands-on training with utility vehicles had been to their development. Both expressed confidence in the skills they acquired during their time at Conestoga, which prepared them for real-world job scenarios. The Powerline Technician program at Conestoga College equips students with the necessary skills for constructing, maintaining, and repairing power distribution systems, combining practical learning with classroom instruction and apprenticeship opportunities.
