Graduates of the Radiation Safety program will be positioned to work in organizations where nuclear radiation levels need to be assessed and monitored.  They will have the academic foundation to work as part of a larger radiation protection branch or wherever safety training is required for employees who work with nuclear materials.

These organizations could include nuclear research facilities, power generation plants, hospitals, educational labs and research facilities, or in private companies where radiopharmaceuticals or radioisotopes are developed, tested, processed, or produced. .

In addition, there are numerous industries that use nuclear properties for radiography to test products for the stability of its structure, or that produce instruments, gauges, and consumer products that contain trace amounts of radioactive materials for commercial and industrial use.

Because employers who use nuclear technology consider the safety of their employees, the public, and the environment a primary concern, staff are required to be trained in radiation protection safety for the workplace.  Most larger nuclear organizations have Radiation Protection workers employed to train others, to conduct assessments, and to ensure safety procedures are in place

AECL Needs Trained Employees 

A major employer in the Ottawa Valley is AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories which is primarily a research facility that provides support to Canada’s CANDU reactor programs.  In addition, Chalk River Laboratories produces the majority of the world’s supply of reactor-produced radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine.

AECL’s employees undergo mandatory safety training in relation to their specific jobs.  As new staff are hired and current staff move to new positions, safety protection training is ongoing throughout the year.  Depending upon their role and designation within the corporation, employees may receive different levels of safety training at AECL, as overseen by the Safety and Environment Division.

Algonquin College’s Radiation Safety program has modeled its curriculum on that of the fundamental training requirements for Group 1 employees at AECL. 

"Atomic Energy of Canada has a growing need to hire radiation protection workers, and although we cannot guarantee employment, the new Radiation Safety program at Algonquin in the Ottawa Valley will provide good candidates to help ensure our hiring needs are met."

B.E. (Brian) McGee, Past Senior Vice-President & Chief Nuclear Officer

Career Opportunities in Canada:  The following links are organizations that feature career opportunities or educational information related to the nuclear industry. 

Atomic Energy of Canada     Ontario Power Generation

MDS Nordion      Bruce Power

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Canadian Society of Nuclear Medicine

Canadian Nuclear Society         Careers in the Nuclear Industry

Young Generation in Nuclear     

For more information on the Radiation Safety Program,

contact Jamie Bramburger by email or phone

613-735-4712, ext. 2756.

Apply today at: www.ontariocolleges.ca