Hocine Boudhar started his academic career with Centennial College when he joined the Energy System Engineering Technology (Co-op) program in 2010. Just two years after enrolling, he completed a research project with GS Automotive Systems, where he assisted in the design and development of Automated Guided Vehicles to serve a GM automotive plant in Oshawa
During his time at the college, Hocine was elected president of the Centennial College Energy Society from 2011-2012. In this role, he organized events and trips to industry partners as a way of connecting energy students with industry partners.
After completing his fifth semester, he began his co-op term with ARIC—the Applied Research and Innovation Centre—working with two industry partners, Clear Blue Technologies (CBT) and Celestica. At CBT, he was involved in testing different designs of hybrid solar-wind controller systems for Hybrid Wind and Solar Power Streetlighting systems, he performed environmental testing on charge controllers at Centennial College labs, and he wrote testing and manufacturing procedures for CBT boards and controllers.
Within the same timeframe, Hocine processed data that was collected from solar stations for module efficiency studies at Celestica, one of the leaders in Canada in Solar Photovoltaic Modules Manufacturing. He assisted in the design and development of a new automated process for the framing solar panels at Celestica’s plant in Toronto.
By the end of his time at the college, he obtained a residential geothermal design and installation certificate, received the Excellence in Applied Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scholarship in 2014, and a Distinction in Leadership Certificate. When he graduated, he became a member of the Professional Advisory Committee at Centennial College within the Energy Program and was later elected vice-president.
As Hocine Boudhar’s career progressed, he demonstrated his versatility in various roles. He has worked at Clear Blue Technologies as an Engineering and Operations Manager and, after a few years working in renewable energies, he moved on to working with the fourth largest municipally owned utility company in Ontario, Elexicon Energy, located east of Toronto, as an Asset Management and Planning Technician. There, he looked after the system planning for Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Belleville, and many other areas to accommodate new residential and industrial developments, among several other responsibilities, eventually leading up to becoming a Lead Asset Management and Planning Technician in 2022.
In June 2023, he moved to British Columbia to join BC Hydro as an Investment Planning Engineer, facilitating the integration of generating stations’ maintenance and capital asset management processes, including the largest generation station in British Columbia.
Hacine’s commitment to learning shines as he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Power and Energy Engineering Technology at McMaster University. He also received a Business Management Certificate in 2021, the same year he joined Professional Engineers Ontario, and is currently an Engineer in training.
His involvement in the field is evident through the various roles he has taken on, which include representing Veridian Connection at the EDIST 2019 (Taking Control of UG Cable) and representing Elexicon Energy at the EDIST 2022 (Predicting Future Customer Demand Using Econometrics and Engineering).
Throughout Hocine’s career, he has hired several engineers and technicians and mentored college and university students and graduates. He has also influenced many professionals and helped shape their lives and the lives of many people around them. Hocine has also hired several Centennial College graduates and helped others with their careers through mentorship programs, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals.