Cenovus Energy is contributing $2 million to Lakeland College’s energy and trades programs. The investment will see:
- Renaming of the Applied Engineering Building on the Vermilion Campus to the Cenovus Energy Industrial Trades Building
- Upgrades to the production lab and power engineering lab in Lloydminster along with upgrades to the School of Trades and Technology in Vermilion
- Dual-credit energy course at Lakeland’s School of Energy
- Dual-credit electrical course at the School of Trades and Technology
The college sees dual-credit programs as allowing “students to explore career options and gain exposure to post-secondary learning.”
“Cenovus Energy’s investment is a powerful example of what is possible when industry and education work together, says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College.
Officials at Cenovus point to the ongoing growth and demand for trades and energy sector staff.
“A strong energy sector depends on a steady pipeline of skilled, future-ready people. That pipeline can only be built when industry, government and post-secondary institutions like Lakeland College partner on shared workforce needs,” says Jeff Lawson, executive vice-president, corporate development and chief sustainability officer, Cenovus Energy. “Investments like this help ensure students are graduating with the capabilities our industry will rely on for decades to come.”
Clayton Ulrich, senior field manager, conventional heavy oil operations, Lloydminster sees the importance of equipping students properly to enter the workforce.
“When the students are graduating, that they are prepared to come into the industry. They are ready to come into action and come to work.”
Data from Cenovus show since 2023, there have been 80 practicum placements/student roles coming to Cenovus Energy from Lakeland College.
