Hatch contributes to fund for Sustainable Engineering in Remote Areas (SERA) program

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Hatch is pleased to announce its participation in Queen's University's Sustainable Engineering in Remote Areas (SERA) program, designed by Dr. Mark Green, professor and associate head of Queen's.

The SERA program was developed to address the challenge faced by Canadian businesses to find skilled engineers to work on projects in remote and rural communities. The aim of the program is to provide employers with a pool of uniquely qualified engineers who are well prepared to work at challenging project sites in remote areas. Students enrolled in this six-year program will combine engineering studies with an enhanced understanding of the societal and cultural challenges found in remote areas. Students will study aboriginal culture and sustainability issues, and will conduct research to address three areas of national interest: natural resources and energy, information and communications technologies, and economic development and education for aboriginal people. Hatch has committed to provide financial support, internships for Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program students, and participation in the SERA program steering committee.

"We welcome participation in this training program as an engineering firm with an active interest in sustainable engineering and energy," says Bert Wasmund, executive director at Hatch. "Many of our engineering projects are in remote areas and in aboriginal communities and as such, Hatch has a great need for engineers with the type of training planned by Dr. Green."

The SERA program is a collaborative effort between many industry partners including Ontario Waterpower Association, Hatch, Assembly of First Nations, and others. Dr. Green is the project lead and has partnered with the Royal Military College and the universities of Manitoba and Ottawa.

The National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has also recently announced that it will provide $1.65 million through the CREATE program to fund Dr. Green's initiative.

About Hatch  www.hatch.ca

Hatch is an employee-owned, multidisciplinary professional services firm that delivers a comprehensive array of technical and strategic services, including consulting, information technology, engineering, process development, and project and construction management to the Mining, Metallurgical, Energy, and Infrastructure sectors. Hatch has served clients for over 80 years and has project experience in more than 150 countries around the world. With over 11,000 people in over 65 offices, the firm has more than $35 billion in projects currently under management. Hatch was recently named one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada, and has won more than 30 project excellence and safety awards. Hatch's Energy division is active in electricity generation by wind turbine and hydro facilities in northern Canada.

SOURCE: Hatch

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