“Our focus right now is on creating connections - so when opportunities come, people and businesses are ready.”

Mary French brings a people-first approach to building opportunity - bringing together communities, workforce and industry in meaningful ways.

She is Energy Alberta’s Lead for Employment, Training and Procurement, where she is focused on helping local workers and businesses prepare for future opportunities through early engagement, workforce development and procurement planning.

She’s a member of the Coast Salish peoples from Vancouver Island, but has called Edmonton, Alberta home for many years. In the energy sector, she has played a key role on major Canadian projects, advancing business and workforce solutions and supporting economic opportunities for Indigenous Nations and Communities across Western Canada.

As Energy Alberta advances the proposed Peace River Nuclear Power Project, questions around jobs, training and business opportunities are top of mind for communities. We sat down with Mary to talk about what people can expect - and what we know at this early stage.

When will you start awarding contracts, including prime and subcontracts?

We’re still in the early stages of the regulatory process, which means we don’t have specific timelines yet for awarding contracts. If the regulatory review proceeds as planned and the Project receives federal approval, site preparation could begin in late 2028 or early 2029. Construction is expected to follow from 2029 through 2041, with the first unit targeted to begin operations in 2035.  

What we are doing right now is building the foundation. We’ve created a procurement registry so businesses can register their interest and stay informed as the Project progresses. As more information becomes available, that’s where we’ll share updates, including guidance on how businesses can prepare and/or upgrade their qualifications to participate in the opportunities available.

What nuclear qualifications does my company need, and how do I get them?

There isn’t a single “nuclear certification” that applies across the board. It really comes down to your company’s existing systems - things like quality assurance, quality control and overall management processes.

Nuclear is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world, so standards are very high. As we learn more about what those requirements will look like in Alberta, we’ll share that information through the procurement registry and work to support local companies in getting ready.

If I want a job in nuclear, what career paths are available?

There are more pathways than people often expect. If you’re thinking about a role in engineering, skilled trades or administration - there will be opportunities.

During construction, we’ll see a wide range of trades, project managers, health and safety professionals, and administrative roles. Once the facility is operating, there will be ongoing roles for engineers, operators, maintenance teams and support staff.

It really is a broad workforce - this Project will require a mix of skills across many disciplines.

What if I’m not an engineer - are there still opportunities?

Absolutely. While engineering roles are critical, they’re just one part of the workforce. There will be roles that require technical training, as well as positions in operations, maintenance, administration, safety, security and more.

We’re working to better define these pathways and identify training options, particularly here in Western Canada.

We encourage anyone interested to sign up for the Jobs & Training registry, which will be used to share information and updates about training and certification opportunities as they become available.

When will hiring begin?

We’re still early in the process, so hiring timelines for construction and operations haven’t been set. If the Project receives federal approval following the regulatory review, site preparation could start in late 2028 or early 2029. Construction would continue through 2041, with the first unit expected to be operational in 2035.

In the meantime, we’ve launched a Jobs & Training registry so people can express interest and stay connected. As training opportunities emerge and hiring plans are established, we’ll use the registry to share updates.

What kind of training is required, and where can I get it?

Training requirements vary depending on the role. In nuclear, work is typically categorized into different levels, each with its own training and certification needs.

Right now, we’re still identifying what training pathways will be available in Alberta and Western Canada. This is an area we’re actively working on, and we know it’s important to people planning their careers.

If I’m a skilled tradesperson, what do I need to work in nuclear?

For trades, your existing qualifications - like a Red Seal or journeyperson certification - are a strong foundation.

There would also be additional onboarding and training specific to nuclear standards. As those requirements become clearer, we’ll share more details.

What kind of jobs will there be, and how many?

At peak construction, estimates for similar projects show there will be thousands of direct jobs as well as indirect and induced roles. That means even if you’re not working directly on building the facility, the Project will support a wide range of additional jobs. For example, opportunities in transportation and logistics, equipment and manufacturing supply, as well as the services that support a growing workforce - such as grocery store workers, childcare and local recreation jobs.  

The exact numbers will depend on the final project design, but the scale of opportunity is very significant.

Are there specific requirements to work in nuclear?

Yes - one important factor is security.

Working in the nuclear industry requires a rigorous security clearance, with standards that are higher than many other industries. This is an important part of maintaining safety and security at all times.  

What kind of pay can people expect?

While it’s still early to define specific wage ranges, our understanding from established nuclear jurisdictions in Canada is that these are stable, long-term and well-paying careers.

As the industry develops in Alberta, more clarity will come on compensation structures.

What kind of shifts will there be when the facility is operating?

Nuclear facilities operate 24/7, so there will always be staff on site to ensure safe and reliable operations.

Shift patterns will depend on the role - some positions will involve shift work, while others will follow more traditional schedules.

Where can I learn more or explore opportunities?

We encourage people to start by exploring Canada’s broader nuclear sector through resources like the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA). The CNA has also created the Nuclear Jobs Canada job board for the nuclear industry, by the nuclear industry.   

For this Project specifically, the best way to stay informed is by registering through Energy Alberta’s employment and procurement registries. That’s where we’ll share updates, opportunities and next steps as the Project advances.

Learn more about future opportunities to work with us: Work With Us

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