PowerStream Donates Bucket Truck to Conestoga College

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 8, 2012) -

Editors Note: A photo is associated with this press release.

In recognition of the need to assist in the education and training of future Powerline Technicians for Ontario's electricity industry, PowerStream today officially donated one of its bucket trucks to Conestoga College in Ingersoll, Ontario.

The bucket truck, an aerial model with a working height of 75 feet, is the largest that has been donated to the college to date. It has been made available as a result of PowerStream's practice of following industry standards, which finds most utilities replacing these vehicles every 10-12 years. Access to a vehicle of this size benefits students by providing them with the opportunity to operate a larger bucket truck and gain more practical work experience.

The donation of the vehicle is part of a broader relationship PowerStream has with Conestoga College, which began more than two years ago. The utility has representation on Conestoga College's program advisory committee and each year employs several Powerline Technician students on a co-op basis.

The utility today continues to provide Conestoga's Powerline Technician program with materials and tools to assist in training and educating students. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for the apprentice program that PowerStream offers to two qualified individuals each term and which takes approximately six years to complete.

QUOTES

• "Ontario's electricity industry, a mature and evolving industry, is anticipating a large number of skilled employee retirements in the years ahead, especially in trades like Powerline Technicians," explained Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "Our strategy to keep our talent and tools updated includes working with post-secondary schools to help train and prepare future employees."
  
  
• "PowerStream is a regular contributor to the Powerline Technician program, donating materials, tools and providing us with regular guest-speaker appearances," said Rex Allen, Coordinator of Conestoga College's Powerline Technician Program. "We are grateful for our partnership with PowerStream as they allow us the ability to provide to our students top quality learning."
  
  

ABOUT CONESTOGA COLLEGE'S POWERLINE PROGRAM

This skills-based program offers a unique opportunity for students to prepare for all facets of powerline occupations. Students will learn the skills required for the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead and underground power distribution systems and may also work on transmission lines.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to approximately 355,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario, including Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan as well as to Collingwood, Stayner, Creemore and Thornbury through a partnership with the Town of Collingwood in Collus PowerStream The utility is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

LET'S CONNECT!

eStream - Blog.PowerStream.ca

Twitter - @PowerStreamNews

YouTube - PowerStreamTV

LinkedIn - PowerStream

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20121108-Conestoga.jpg.