Sustainable energy students at Humber had a special guest looking over their shoulders in the classroom last week.
Ontario Minister of Energy Chris Bentley toured the Sustainable Energy and Building Technology (SEBT) classroom, spoke with students and heard from graduates, as he learns more about the province’s energy supply and programs. Bentley, seen above looking at students' work stations, had previously served a variety of positions in Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet, including as Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. He was named the Energy Minister in October of this year.
“Humber is giving students a great future in Ontario, with skills that can be exported around the world,” Bentley said. “The world is going greener in part because we want to, in part because we need to. People will be looking for advice, expertise and technology, and in Ontario, we’re determined to be leaders in these areas. There is a great future for you.”
Bentley was taken around the classroom by Kerry Johnston, the program coordinator for the SEBT program.
“This is a field with high-growth potential,” Johnston said. “Government, businesses and organizations are all looking to go green and be more environmentally conscious. It is a good selling feature, but more than that, it makes economic sense.”
Humber president John Davies is grateful for the support of the government with this program, which includes more than 400 hours of placement time.
“Taking a leadership position in this area takes some political risk because it requires some large-scale investment, but those economies that lead the green jobs revolution can lead us to positive changes in the long haul,” Davies said.
Bentley was joined by Jodi Janwin, who graduated in the spring of 2011 and works at Provident Energy Management Inc. as an energy analyst.
Janwin became interested in renewable energy while working in international development. She saw small towns, which went dark early in the evening, suddenly able to have lights on at night. It was then that she started to look at programs that focused on energy efficiency and conservation.
“I wanted to work in a field where I would make a lasting difference in the world,” said Janwin, who prepares energy conservation proposals and runs simulations to ensure energy efficiency targets will be met in new projects. “With all the new development happening in Toronto, it’s very exciting to look at buildings and say that I had a role to play in them. I’m grateful to Humber that my future, and the future of others, looks extremely bright.”
