Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and AECL to launch Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre in partnership with UNENE

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering to jointly develop the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre. Announced on June 11, 2025, the strategic initiative aims to centralize and scale education, training, and workforce development for Canada’s expanding nuclear sector. The agreement was formalized ahead of the second annual University Day event, where further stakeholder engagement is expected to shape the centre’s implementation strategy.

This move signals an institutional commitment to rebuild and expand the domestic talent pool required to support a nuclear renaissance, including small modular reactor deployment, isotope production, decommissioning, and environmental restoration projects across Canada.

Why is Canada investing in a national nuclear learning centre now?

The Canadian nuclear sector is experiencing renewed momentum as part of the country’s clean energy transition strategy. As provincial governments and utilities plan reactor refurbishments, license small modular reactors, and scale isotope and hydrogen production, the workforce gap is emerging as a critical bottleneck.

Historically, institutions such as Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited have been central to training technical talent for the country’s nuclear industry. However, the scale and specialization of upcoming projects—including reactor decommissioning, advanced fuels research, and waste remediation—demand a broader, more integrated educational approach. The Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre is designed to fill that strategic need by leveraging academic networks, federal science infrastructure, and coordinated curricula.

What is the role of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in this initiative?

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories will provide access to its world-class infrastructure—including Chalk River Laboratories and satellite research campuses—while facilitating hands-on technical learning. The new centre will act as a delivery node for applied learning experiences, micro-credential programs, and internships focused on nuclear science, engineering, health physics, and clean energy applications.

Dr. Stephen Bushby, Vice-President of Science and Technology at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, stated that the learning centre would “build a talent pipeline not only for CNL but for the entire industry.” He noted that the centre complements CNL’s 2022 Academic Partnership Program and aligns with its Vision 2030 goals, which prioritize workforce renewal, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Through this platform, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories will also strengthen ties between private-sector partners and educational institutions, encouraging technology transfer and experiential learning pathways.

How will Atomic Energy of Canada Limited support long-term goals?

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, as the federal Crown corporation responsible for Canada’s nuclear science and technology policy infrastructure, will provide strategic oversight and governance alignment for the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre. AECL continues to own the intellectual property for CANDU® reactor technology and manages Canada’s federal radioactive waste responsibilities. Its participation in CNLC ensures integration with long-term national nuclear objectives.

Dr. Amy Gottschling, Vice President of Science, Technology, and Commercial Oversight at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, emphasized the long-term return on talent investments. She observed that “world-class facilities alone are not enough,” and stressed the importance of cultivating the next generation of innovators. AECL’s endorsement is seen as critical in elevating CNLC from a training concept to a nationally embedded institution.

By embedding education into the broader clean energy and research missions, AECL aims to ensure the resilience and global competitiveness of Canada’s nuclear talent base.

How does UNENE contribute academic capacity to the CNLC?

Founded in 2002, the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering brings together Canadian universities and industry players to offer specialized academic programming in nuclear science and engineering. The organization has played a pivotal role in bridging academia and industry, particularly through collaborative research and curriculum co-design.

UNENE President Jerry Hopwood described the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre as a vital initiative at a time of surging interest in nuclear energy within the clean energy landscape. He stressed that the initiative would help Canadians acquire not only practical, job-ready skills but also deepen public and institutional understanding of nuclear technology. He further added that the centre would serve as a gateway for students, researchers, and stakeholders who wish to engage more deeply with nuclear science.

Under the new agreement, UNENE will expand its programming to incorporate access to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ sites and facilities, collaborate on micro-credential design, and explore opportunities for regional hubs through academic partnerships across provinces.

What specific programs or deliverables are planned?

While the full curriculum and delivery model for the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre is still in development, the initial scope includes micro-credential pathways, lab-based internships, and joint research opportunities. The three partner organizations plan to present a working model at the July 2025 University Day event, hosted by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. A finalized implementation roadmap is expected by fall 2025.

Program development will target a range of learners—from undergraduate students and graduate researchers to mid-career professionals and skilled technicians seeking to reskill or specialize in nuclear applications. Areas of focus will likely include reactor operations, environmental assessment, radiological safety, medical isotope production, and nuclear waste management.

Early indicators suggest that CNLC could also serve as a national centre of excellence in applied nuclear research, policy training, and Indigenous community engagement around clean energy projects.

What is the institutional response to this announcement?

Stakeholders across government, academia, and the nuclear sector have responded positively to the announcement, with many viewing the initiative as a timely response to systemic challenges in workforce availability and education-to-employment pipelines. Several provincial officials and post-secondary institutions have expressed interest in affiliating with the learning centre once operational models are finalized.

The announcement is also aligned with international trends. Countries such as the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France have similarly launched national nuclear training centres to address skills shortages as their energy strategies tilt back toward fission-based solutions. Canada’s CNLC could offer a globally replicable model—especially with its tripartite governance involving research, government, and higher education.

What does the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre mean for the future?

Analysts and policy observers expect the Canadian Nuclear Learning Centre to serve as a strategic asset not just for workforce development, but also for raising the visibility and credibility of Canada’s nuclear sector. With Canada positioning itself as a global supplier of nuclear fuels, CANDU technology, and clean energy partnerships, talent development becomes a pillar of soft power and innovation diplomacy.

The CNLC could become the nucleus of a larger ecosystem involving SMR deployment training, cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, and collaborative R&D with international partners. Its regional hub model, if scaled, may also help bridge rural-urban education divides and provide entry points for underrepresented communities, including Indigenous youth, into high-paying STEM fields.

Institutionally, the centre may unlock greater funding pathways from provincial education ministries and national innovation funds, particularly as labor market data points to a shortage of nuclear-qualified professionals across operations, policy, safety, and science.