NextStar Energy Named Co-op Employer of the Year by University of Windsor
NextStar Energy, operator of Canada's first commercial-scale battery plant, has been named 2025 Co-op Employer of the Year by the University of Windsor, with manager Krista Ammonite also receiving an Outstanding Supervi…
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What Happened
NextStar Energy, the joint venture behind Canada's first commercial-scale battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario, has been named the 2025 Co-op Employer of the Year by the University of Windsor. The award recognizes the company's commitment to developing next-generation talent through its co-operative education program. Additionally, Continuous Improvement Manager Krista Ammonite was named Outstanding Supervisor for the 2025 winter term.
“By investing in highly skilled local students, we’re creating a strong talent pipeline and laying the foundation for NextStar Energy’s long-term growth and success. Our co-op students have a rare opportunity to experience some of the most advanced battery technology in an environment where they can learn, grow, and contribute to our daily operations as part of the team.”
“What’s stood out to us is how quickly NextStar Energy has embraced co‑op as a true partnership. In a relatively short amount of time, they’ve grown their involvement with our programs and consistently provided students with meaningful work, strong mentorship, and a genuinely welcoming environment. Their commitment to developing co‑op talent speaks volumes about how they value learning and the futu”
Since launching its co-op program in spring 2024, NextStar Energy has hosted over 80 co-op students from six universities across Southwestern Ontario. Several students have returned for multiple terms, and three have been hired full-time after graduating. The company is set to begin its seventh cohort in May 2026, welcoming 41 new students for the summer term.
Why this matters
The award highlights how NextStar Energy is building a skilled workforce for Canada's emerging battery sector by providing hands-on experience to over 80 co-op students from six Ontario universities.
Terms in This Story
- Co-op education
- A program that combines academic study with paid work experience in a related field, typically alternating semesters.
- Battery manufacturing facility
- A factory that produces batteries, especially for electric vehicles and energy storage.
- Talent pipeline
- A strategy of developing and training potential employees to fill future job openings in a specific industry.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.