Build a Dream and Millwright Regional Council Launch Indigenous-Focused Introduction to Millwrighting Program at the Darlington Energy Complex
OSHAWA, ON – November 9, 2026 – Build a Dream, the Millwright Regional Council (MRC), and UBC Millwright Local 2309 have launched a new cohort of the Introduction to Millwrighting (ITM) Program at the Darlington Energy Complex. The six-week workforce development initiative will create meaningful pathways for Indigenous participants to pursue careers in the skilled trades and Ontario’s growing nuclear energy sector.
Delivered in collaboration with Durham College, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Kagita Mikam, and OPG’s Indigenous Opportunities Network, the program brings together industry, labour, education, and community partners to support Indigenous workforce development and expand access to training and apprenticeship opportunities.
The new cohort includes eight participants who will receive foundational technical training and industry knowledge through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. The program is designed to help participants build practical skills, gain exposure to the Millwright trade, and experience needed to take the next steps toward a rewarding career in the skilled trades.
This cohort marks the 13th Introduction to Millwrighting Program delivered by the Millwright Regional Council and the sixth in partnership with Build a Dream. Across the 12 cohorts completed to date, 109 participants have graduated from the program, with training delivered in communities across Canada.
The Darlington cohort builds on this established track record, with a dedicated focus on expanding Indigenous participation in the Millwright trade and Ontario’s nuclear energy sector.
“Canada’s energy future depends on a skilled workforce, and Indigenous communities must have meaningful opportunities to participate in the industries and projects shaping that future. At Build a Dream, we are proud to support participants through training, personalized guidance and wraparound services that help them take the next step toward a meaningful career. We are grateful to our partners like the Millwright Regional Council, for their commitment to building a workforce that reflects the talent and potential of our communities,” said Nour Hachem, President and Founder of Build a Dream.
The program comes at an important time for Ontario’s nuclear energy sector, as major investments and infrastructure developments create new opportunities for economic growth and workforce development. In June 2026, the Williams Treaties First Nations announced a $700-million investment in Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington New Nuclear Project, marking the largest collective First Nations investment in nuclear generation in Canadian history. This investment highlights the growing role of Indigenous communities in Ontario’s energy future and the importance of ensuring Indigenous people have access to the training and employment opportunities emerging across the sector.
Millwrights play an essential role in Canada’s industrial and energy infrastructure. Their work includes installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing complex machinery and equipment across sectors such as nuclear power generation, manufacturing, mining, and other industrial operations. As Ontario advances major energy and infrastructure projects, developing a skilled and diverse workforce will be critical to meeting long-term industry needs.
“This initiative is another example of the leadership and forward-thinking approach that UBC Millwright Local 2309 Toronto and the Millwright Regional Council are bringing to Ontario’s skilled trades. We are not simply responding to the needs of industry; we are taking the initiative, building partnerships, and creating pathways that connect people and communities to meaningful careers. We are proud of what Local 2309 and our partners are accomplishing, and we believe initiatives like this demonstrate why the Millwright Regional Council is an important stakeholder in Ontario’s economic future. Our focus is on creating opportunities, developing skilled workers, and ensuring our members have a meaningful role in building the projects that will shape this province for generations to come,” said Mark Beardsworth, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Millwright Regional Council.
In addition to training, participants will have access to Build a Dream’s wraparound support services, including personalized guidance and funding support to help address barriers to participation. This support is complemented by the expertise and hands-on experience of industry and labour partners.
Together, these supports are designed to help create an inclusive and welcoming training environment where Indigenous participants can develop foundational skills, build confidence, and better understand the pathways available to them. The approach recognizes that successful workforce development involves more than providing training. Participants also need access to the resources, guidance, and industry connections required to pursue and sustain a career.
The Darlington cohort reflects the importance of collaboration in building a workforce that is representative of the communities and people it serves. By connecting Indigenous participants with training, industry expertise, and dedicated support, the program contributes to broader efforts to expand Indigenous participation in Ontario’s skilled trades and energy sector.
About Build a Dream
Build a Dream is a national workforce development organization working to increase participation among women and underrepresented groups in skilled trades, STEAM, emergency response, entrepreneurship, and other high-demand sectors. Through career exploration, training pathways, employer partnerships, and workforce development initiatives, Build a Dream works with industry, labour, government, and education partners to connect talent with opportunity and support more inclusive workplaces. webuildadream.com
About the Millwright Regional Council
The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of twelve affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. The UBC Millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Millwright Regional Council
289-407-7763
abredin@ubcmillwrights.ca
Stacey Noronha
Senior Manager, Public Affairs & Partnerships
Build a Dream
647-802-1507
stacey@webuildadream.com
