Laurentis engineer, problem-solver and Métis citizen, Brendan Boucher, advances his career through OPG’s ION program
Since he was a child, math, science, problem-solving and helping others have always been areas of interest for Brendan Boucher, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. And he's been able to translate those strengths into an engineering career at Laurentis Energy Partners.
After graduating from the Mechanical Engineering program at Ontario Tech University, and with the knowledge that Laurentis and its parent company, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), are committed to diversity and inclusion in their workforce, Brendan reached out to OPG's Human Resources to inquire about job opportunities in the nuclear industry for Indigenous peoples.
Cue the OPG Indigenous Opportunities Network (ION) program, an initiative designed to increase the number of Indigenous people working in the nuclear industry. Launched in 2018, ION has placed 68 Indigenous people in energy sector roles within OPG, its subsidiaries, vendors and unions.
Thanks to ION and his skill-base, Brendan was hired at Laurentis, a subsidiary of OPG, in August 2021, as a member of the newly formed Design Engineering Team. He has spent the past several months helping to formalize policies and procedures for Laurentis, focusing on Quality Management Systems.
"The ION program created opportunities and opened many doors for me," said Boucher.
If I could give advice to others, Indigenous or not, who are seeking out a successful career or working towards their dream job, it’s to be your own biggest advocate. Be persistent and be confident in what you bring to the table. There are incredible resources available if you’re willing to put in the work and time to seek them out and use them.Brendan Boucher
"I look forward to connecting with other Indigenous people in the nuclear industry and hope that others are encouraged to follow a similar path."
Laurentis is an innovative, diverse and equal opportunity employer that offers challenging opportunities, career diversity, and focuses on hiring highly qualified individuals. To learn more about job opportunities with Laurentis, contact us here. And, for information on employment through ION, click here.
