Innovation and workforce development: five colleges join forces to better meet the needs of the aerospace industry
Two CEGEPs and three college technology transfer centers (CCTTs) announced today, at the YMX Innovation Center in Mirabel, the signing of an agreement that will enable them to offer the aerospace and manufacturing industries a strengthened and coherent range of services to meet their needs in terms of applied research and innovation, as well as workforce skills development.
The Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, le Cégep Édouard-Montpetit et son École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA), le Centre de développement des composites du Québec (CDCQ), le Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA), et l’Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) unissent leurs forces pour appuyer plus efficacement l’industrie.
In signing this agreement, the five higher education institutions have established a solid, structured foundation that will facilitate the development of synergies based on the complementarity of their cutting-edge expertise. What's more, to encourage the realization of joint projects and better meet the needs of industry, they could, for example, pool certain spaces and equipment or set up common tools. This partnership makes it possible to optimize investments in a more difficult economic climate. Encouraging innovation The three college technology transfer centers have joined forces to offer a wider range of innovation and applied research services. By working with one of these centers, a company will at the same time have access to the high-level expertise and resources of the others. In this way, the CCTTs will combine their strengths to develop optimal solutions for their customers, more quickly, more efficiently and more closely aligned with real-world business needs.
Fostering innovation
The three college technology transfer centers have joined forces to offer a wider range of innovation and applied research services. By working with one of these centers, a company will at the same time have access to the high-level expertise and resources of the others. In this way, the CCTTs will combine their strengths to develop optimal solutions for their customers, more quickly, more efficiently and more closely aligned with concrete business needs.
"Together, our three CCTTs combine powerful expertise in areas such as composite materials, industrial processes and automation, digital transformation including artificial intelligence, transport electrification, advanced mobility and much more. These crucial sectors will determine the future of our aerospace industry, which must innovate to remain competitive on an international scale. Our two CEGEPs intend to be their privileged partners in achieving this," emphasized Hélène Bailleu, Director General of Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA).
Developing workforce skills
The agreement also provides for Cégep de Saint-Jérôme and Cégep Édouard-Montpetit business services to combine their complementary expertise in order to offer businesses a broader, integrated and effective range of customized services for developing their employees' skills. Companies will benefit from improved continuity of service and training.
"Thanks to this agreement, companies in the aerospace innovation zone, including those in the Mirabel cluster, will have easy access to a wide range of customized services to develop the skills of their personnel. In this way, our two CEGEPs are demonstrating their determination to be the preferred partners of the aerospace industry, a sector in which the qualification and ongoing development of the workforce is a prerequisite for success", added Nadine Le Gal, General Manager of Cégep de Saint-Jérôme.
About Cégep de Saint-Jérôme
The Cégep de Saint-Jérôme and its two college centers is a public institution of higher learning that has been rooted in the Laurentians since 1970, with campuses in SaintJérôme, Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Laurier. Offering a wide range of pre-university and technical programs, the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme also has recognized expertise in continuing education for adults and professionals. The Cégep stands out for its commitment to student success and its sense of innovation. With its two college technology transfer centers, the Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) and the Centre de développement des composites du Québec (CDCQ), the Cégep actively contributes to applied research, reinforcing its role in regional development and its collaboration with national and international partners. To find out more, visit cstj.qc.ca.
About the École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA) at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit
Founded in 1964, the École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA) is the world's leading aerotechnical institute. Its expertise is based on the exceptional know-how of its staff and its close links with industry. Its specialized college programs in Aerospace Engineering Techniques, Aircraft Maintenance Techniques and Avionics Techniques are offered in its $110 million facilities. These include 6 hangars housing 38 aircraft, and are located on the tarmac of the MET - Aéroport métropolitain de Montréal, in Longueuil. To find out more about Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and its École nationale d'aérotechnique, its media experts, visit cegepmontpetit.ca/press-room.
About the Composites Development Center of Quebec (CDCQ)
For over 30 years, the Centre de développement des composites du Québec (CDCQ), part of the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, has distinguished itself through its expertise in supporting manufacturing companies of all sizes, particularly in the aerospace sector. Active in the development of advanced materials and processes, the decarbonization of production processes and the recovery of end-of-life materials, the CDCQ is helping practices evolve towards a more sustainable, high-performance industry. With a team of 20 experts, it carries out more than 350 projects every year, providing concrete support for innovation and the competitiveness of companies on an international scale. To find out more, visit cdcq.qc.ca.
About the Aerospace Technology Center (CTA)
The CTA is a college technology transfer center affiliated with Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and located on the site of its École nationale d'aérotechnique. The CTA supports the efforts of companies in the sector to increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness, as well as the quality of their products and services. With over sixty experts in composites and advanced materials, non-destructive testing, aeronautical systems development and integration, metal fabrication and metrology, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, and alternative propulsion, the CTA is recognized for its complementarity with the various players in aeronautical research and technology transfer. To find out more about CTA, visit www.aerospatiale.org.
About the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI)
The Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) is a college technology transfer center (CCTT) affiliated with the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, specializing in the design, integration and implementation of advanced vehicle technologies. For more than 25 years, the IVI has supported companies and public organizations in the development, validation and deployment of vehicular technologies. A not-for-profit organization, IVI stands out for its ability to transform ideas into sustainable innovations for cleaner, smarter and safer transportation and mobility. It is also accredited as a research center by NSERC, a member of the Tech-Access Canada network and recognized as a key player in Quebec's transportation and sustainable mobility ecosystem. For more information, visit ivisolutions.ca.
From right to left, Janic Lauzon, General Manager of the Composites Development Centre of Quebec, Nadine Le Gal, General Manager of the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, Hélène Bailleu, General Manager of the Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and the École nationale d'aérotechnique, Mélanie Lussier, President and CEO of Aéro Montréal, Frédéric Parent, General Manager of the Centre technologique en aérospatiale and Pier-Luc Laurin, General Manager of the Institut du véhicule innovant.
Sources :
Cégep de Saint-Jérôme
Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and its École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA)
Composites Development Center of Quebec (CDCQ)
Aerospace Technology Center (CTA)
Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI)
For information :
Nathalie Coutu, Communications Consultant
cell. 514 929-3805 | nathalie.coutu@cegepmontpetit.ca