ACEC-SK Nuclear Opportunities Virtual Information Session
Presented by: Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan
📅 September 15, 2026
🕑 12:00–2:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Session
✅ Free for ACEC-SK members
Featured Speaker:
Grant Cherkas, P.Eng.
Nuclear Specialist
Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA)
Session Overview
This session will provide consulting engineering firms with a practical understanding of the opportunities emerging from Saskatchewan’s nuclear program. Participants will gain insight into where consulting engineers fit within the nuclear supply chain, what owners and reactor vendors are looking for, and how firms can begin preparing today for future work.
Welcome & Industry Update
- Introductions
- Status of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment in Saskatchewan
- Regulatory environment
- Project timelines and what to expect over the coming years
Engineering Opportunities Throughout the Nuclear Project Lifecycle
- Where consulting engineering firms fit into the nuclear supply chain
- Engineering opportunities during:
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- Planning
- Design
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Operations and maintenance
- Discipline-specific opportunities for:
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- Civil
- Structural
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Geotechnical
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Specialty consulting services including:
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- Surveying
- GIS
- Project Management
- Commissioning
- Asset Management
Procurement & Getting Involved
- How consulting engineering firms become qualified for nuclear work
- Understanding procurement pathways
- Working directly for owners versus supporting EPC contractors
- Teaming opportunities with larger engineering firms
- What owners and reactor vendors look for when selecting consultants
- How smaller firms can successfully enter the market
Nuclear Codes, Standards & Quality Requirements
- Overview of nuclear quality assurance requirements
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- CSA N286
- ISO standards
- ASME standards
- How nuclear quality differs from traditional infrastructure projects
- Documentation and traceability expectations
- Configuration management throughout the project lifecycle
- Certifications and accreditations firms should consider
Building a Nuclear-Ready Workforce
- Skills consulting engineers should begin developing today
- Training opportunities and certifications
- Building internal nuclear competency
- Recruiting and mentoring engineers
- Preparing your firm over the next two to five years
Risk, Liability & Professional Practice
- Professional liability considerations
- Insurance requirements
- Managing project risk
- Working as part of multi-disciplinary project teams
Lessons Learned & Future Outlook
- Common misconceptions about the nuclear industry
- Challenges faced by firms entering the sector
- Success stories from firms that have transitioned into nuclear work
- Long-term engineering opportunities during operations and maintenance
- Export opportunities beyond Saskatchewan
Interactive Discussion & Q&A
Topics may include:
- How can smaller firms compete in the nuclear market?
- What certifications should firms pursue first?
- How long does it take to become qualified?
- What level of investment is typically required?
- What engineering services are currently missing in Saskatchewan?
- How should firms prepare over the next two to five years?
- What does a realistic project timeline look like from planning through operations?
- Additional questions from participants.
Free for ACEC-SK Members with promo code. Contact events@acec-sk.ca for details.
Professional Development Certificates will be issued to all attendees who request them.