Ovintiv Partners with Northwestern Polytechnic to Name Tool Hub in Grande Prairie Skilled Trades Expansion

Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) and Ovintiv have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening skilled trades education at NWP. As part of this collaboration, Ovintiv will sponsor the naming of a new 1,620-square-foot Tool Hub at the Grande Prairie campus. The facility will feature a state-of-the-art inventory management system along with a comprehensive selection of training aids, tools, and technology to support hands-on learning for trades students.

The Ovintiv Tool Hub reflects a generous $500,000 community investment from the North American energy industry leader, designed to support the training and development of next-generation skilled trades professionals in the North.

"Partnerships like this reinforce the importance of strong ties between education and industry needs," said Dr. Vanessa Sheane, President and CEO of NWP. 

"By providing students with timely access to the latest tools, technology, and training spaces, we are preparing them to meet workforce demands while supporting the ongoing growth of skilled trades in northern Alberta.”

Located in the newly launched Spartan Controls Northwestern Centre for Industrial Automation & Innovation, the Ovintiv Tool Hub will serve as a central hub between the new electrical lab, the new millwright lab and the newly opened power engineering and instrumentation labs. This shared area has been purposefully designed to support students as they access specialized tools for hands-on skill development and practical application.

"We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Northwestern Polytechnic through the Ovintiv Tool Hub. By equipping students with advanced tools and training, we're providing the next generation of talent with innovative hands-on learning opportunities in high-demand trades." 

"Nurturing the trades workforce supports industry, communities and builds a secure and sustainable energy future,” said Kim Williams, Vice President & GM, Canadian Operations.

The Ovintiv Tool Hub marks another milestone in NWP’s ongoing Skilled Trades Expansion efforts. In recent years, Northwestern Polytechnic has continued to build momentum, focusing on developing contemporary, industry-replicable training environments that foster student success.

This latest addition is part of a $5M industry-supported capital campaign to advance regional skilled trades development, complemented by a $11.3M investment from the Government of Alberta to create a flagship trades centre for the North on NWP’s Grande Prairie campus.

“Our goal is to equip students with the confidence, competence, and practical experience they need to excel in high-demand trades and technologies,” said Cindy Park, Vice President, External Relations. “Investments like this go a long way in building lasting regional assets that strengthen our community and support long-term success.”

For more information about NWP’s Skilled Trades programs and expansion initiatives, please visit NWP.me/ToolsforSuccess.