Education/training
Lambton Collegegets powered upA new $210,000 facility that simulates every day situations at a coal-fired power plant will enhance Lambton College's Chemical Production Engineering Technology (CPET) program. |
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 [ 2002-07-31 ] |
The five highly sophisticated stations that are housed in a mobile trailer generously donated by Lambton Generating Station, Ontario Power Generation will allow four students, under the guidance of an instructor, to simulate start up and shut down operations at a 500-megawatt power plant.
It also simulates real-life problems that could occur in the plant and challenges students to find solutions.
"This donation means our students are going to get the best possible training in terms of a power-generating facility," said Bryan Aitken, co-ordinator of the college's three-year co-op CPET program. "Word is just starting to get out that we have this facility."
Technology in the electricity market has changed little since the facility was built 10 years ago, so students are getting the most current experience available, Aitken said.
Applications to the college's CPET program are nearly double the 80-student capacity. The college anticipates an expansion of the program in the future, to meet the demand created by retiring operators from the baby boom generation.
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A Lambton College graduate is acting as an unofficial ambassador on Canada's east coast.
Ken Dobson, a graduate from the college's three-year co-op Sports and Recreation Administration program last spring, comes in contact with plenty of children through work and volunteering. Many enquire about his education.
"I definitely push the program and recommend it highly," said Dobson, who recently landed the job of Development Co-ordinator for the Canadian Hockey's Atlantic Centre of Excellence in Saint John, NB.
The centre, one of five across Canada, was developed by the Canadian Hockey Association in partnership with the St. John Flames.
It is primarily responsible for co-ordination of hockey development programs for the 59,000 registered participants in four Atlantic Provinces.
At age 22, he is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the programs in the Atlantic Provinces, working with minor hockey branches and its volunteers.
"This is another example of where the training and knowledge received at Lambton in the Sports and Recreation program has knocked down the age barrier and prepared me to step right into my position," he said. "I'm a firm believer in the success of the program."
Dobson is also assistant coach of the Pee Wee AAA team and will soon complete his Advanced Level I coaching certification. The native of Saint John, NB, began his career as facility manager and programs director at Andrews Hockey Growth Programs, a year-round hockey school in PEI that works on ice and in the classroom with skaters from beginners to professionals.
He visited Lambton College this past winter to address students in the Sports and Recreation Administration program. He also keeps in regular contact with his college professors, saying, "Because of the smaller classes at the college, I developed friendships with the professors. It's a credit to them each time I move on and they deserve to be recognized."
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