Nuclear Career Accelerator Program
Overview
The 12-week Nuclear Career Accelerator Program prepares mid-career engineers and technical professionals from the oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure, and other industries to transition seamlessly into high-demand nuclear roles.
The program provides learners with a robust set of technical skills aligned with market demands to prepare participants for career transitions into the nuclear sector. Job readiness is a core focus of the program with a comprehensive suite of career support services, including 1:1 coaching.
This program ensures learners are job-ready to fill critical roles, reinforcing Canada’s leadership in clean energy and global nuclear innovation.
Courses have been developed in collaboration with leading industry experts and offer practical skills training and valuable industry insights. Learners will receive a University Certificate upon successful completion.
Want more information? Visit the Continuous Learning website or register now for a live webinar on Tuesday, August 19 from noon to 1 p.m. to learn more about the Nuclear Career Accelerator and get your questions answered.
Who should attend?
The Nuclear Career Accelerator Program is recommended for mid-career technical professionals and engineers with a a minimum of three years of work experience.
Targeted roles include:- Civil/Structural Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Infrastructure Analyst
- Junior Electrical CAD Designer
- Mechanical Engineer and Designer
- Mechatronics Engineer
- Operations Engineer
- Piping Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- And many more!
Courses
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Nuclear Energy in Society / Community and Stakeholder Engagement (Core)
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.
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Nuclear Fundamentals (Core)
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 and live learning experiences.
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Operations Overview (Core)
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 and attend live sessions.
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Regulation and Safety (Core)
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 nuclearpProfessional and the role in establishing a 'healthy nuclear safety culture'.
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Life Cycle Assessment (Elective)
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.
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Materials & Fuels (Elective)
This course introduces the basic concepts of materials science and the critical role material selection plays in nuclear reactors. Learners will also examine how some reactor types use natural uranium whilst others require enriched fuel. They will be able to distinguish between the types, suitability and manufacturing of materials and fuels used in nuclear reactors across Canada.
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Nuclear Supply Chain (Elective)
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 presentation and communication skills in a final project that simulates developing strategic business partnerships in the nuclear industry.
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Nuclear Project Management Fundamentals (Elective)
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.
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Next Generation Nuclear (Elective)
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.
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Waste Management (Elective)
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.
Program information
Participation in the Nuclear Career Accelerator program does not guarantee employment upon completion, career support is provided, but hiring decisions are made by individual employers. Some roles may require Site Access Security Clearance (SASC) and/or a Criminal Record Name Check (CRNC), depending on the employer and position. These requirements are determined by employer-specific processes in line with CNSC regulations.
Please complete this brief application to provide information about your background and assist us in determining your eligibility for the program.
This 12-week program requires a time commitment of approximately 10 to 15 hours per week. Learners will complete a mix of assigned readings, collaborative group work, and a final assessment for each course.
Fall 2025
Synchronous delivery: Courses will be offered in-person on campus with the option for virtual attendance. Classes are scheduled to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. (subject to change), beginning on September 15, 2025. Learners are required to complete all registered courses by December 8, 2025.
Winter 2026
Asynchronous delivery: Learners complete the courses independently and at their own pace, within the 12-week timeframe. The Winter 2026 cohort begins on January 5, 2026.
Some courses, regardless of delivery format, will be fully online with no scheduled lectures.
Course Structure
The program includes two categories of courses:
Core Courses: Four mandatory courses that all learners must complete.
Elective Courses: A minimum of three electives is required to meet certificate requirements. Learners may take additional electives if they wish.
Thanks to funding from Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills, and the Government of Canada, the full tuition cost for the NCA program is $500 CAD + HST.
While scholarships are not awarded automatically, applicants affiliated with the Indigenous Opportunity Network (IOorN) and Women in Nuclear (WiN) receive priority consideration.
Indigenous participants are eligible for a full scholarship, and a separate bursary program supported by AtkinsRéalis is currently in development, with more details to be shared soon.
You may voluntarily withdraw from a course up to seven (7) calendar days before its scheduled start date. When you withdraw, you have the following options:
- Transfer to a later cohort of the same Nuclear Career Accelerator Program (subject to availability).
- Transfer to a different course of equal or lesser value, provided you meet all admission and prerequisite requirements for the new course. If the new course is of lesser value, we'll refund you the price difference.
- No Fee Transfers: If you request a transfer seven (7) or more days before your course's start date, there's no administrative fee.
- Late Transfers: For transfers requested within one (1) to six (6) days before the start date, a $50.00 administrative fee will apply, in addition to any applicable price differences between courses. Please note that all fees are subject to HST (Harmonized Sales Tax).
Once a course has officially begun, no refunds will be issued, regardless of your participation level or completion status.
This is an open enrolment course. Those completing Ontario Tech University Continuous Learning open enrolment offerings (e.g. certificate programs, courses, workshops, microcertifications, etc.) are subject to the policies of Ontario Tech University and Continuous Learning. Ontario Tech policies can be found in the Policy library. Continuous Learning policies can be found in the Regulations section of the Continuous Learning website. Specifically, those completing open enrolment offerings are expected to adhere to the General and Open enrolment regulations.
Requirements
This program targets a cluster of engineering and technical roles that require overlapping technical and professional skill sets, and is specifically tailored to provide maximum benefits to individuals seeking to transition into high-demand positions within the nuclear industry.
Program Eligibility
Open to mid-career professionals with at least three years of work experience.
Participants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act 2 and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
To obtain the University Certificate you must:
- Register and make full payment for the program;
- Attend and successfully complete each required course/element;
- Actively participate in all components of each course; and
- Successfully complete any assigned work.
Technology requirements
Video conferencing
Online learning requirements:
- Computer or device with internet access
- Stable internet or data connection
- Microphone
- Webcam*
- Audio device (examples: speakers, headphones/earbuds, headset)
*Webcam is preferred but not required.
Material requirements
There are no additional materials required for this program.
Does this program have an internship component?
While this program does not include an internship, we will support your employment journey by providing access to our dedicated Career Coach for up to six months post-program completion. The Career Coach will skillfully assist you in refining your resume and optimize your LinkedIn profile. They will also support you in developing a tailored strategy that will propel your job search and grant you access to Ontario Tech's network of energy industry partners.