This text is part of the special Aeronautics section
There is a shortage of workers in all professions in the aerospace industry, regardless of the required educational level.
“In aerospace, the two major training challenges currently are the lack of pilots and mechanics; That’s where it’s the most serious, but we’re missing people everywhere,” says Mario Sabourin, interim director general of the Quebec Aerospace Sectoral Workforce Committee (CAMAQ). “To meet the demand for technicians, we have training courses that are given almost constantly. »
CAMAQ, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, was imagined in 1978 when the Montreal aerospace industry, government departments, research centers and the entire educational stream from high school to university created an initial committee aimed at developing real collaboration for the training of the workforce and the preparation of the next generation.
This committee is thus at the origin of the School of Aerospace Professions of Montreal (secondary level), of the National School of Aeronautics (college level), in Longueuil, of two complete aeronautical engineering programs at the Concordia University and Polytechnique, including the master’s degree (and soon at ETS as well) and the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ). It carries out sector analyses, manages grants and dozens of programs of all kinds. “Our purpose is to ensure that professional training is aligned with the needs of the sector and to support employers in their training needs. »
Even though the hiring prospects are 100% and the future is bright for the Montreal aerospace industry, the CAMAQ must constantly fight to fill its programs. Indeed, the aerospace industry suffers from a paradox: this highly technical sector is sometimes perceived as inaccessible, explains Mario Sabourin. “Many people believe that it is not for them when the sector is looking for a lot of basic trades. »
The aerospace sector needs painters, mechanics, upholsterers, welders, and even cabinetmakers! Many trades only require a high school diploma. To become an aircraft painter, the prerequisite displayed on the CAMAQ website is a third secondary education for as little as 720 hours of coursework.
Training, inseparable from research
In July 2023, a SpaceX rocket took off from Cape Canaveral with, in its hold, a very small satellite designed by students from Concordia University. “This kind of opportunity creates a hyperdynamic training environment,” says Christian Moreau, professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering at Concordia’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science and holder of the of Canada on thermal spraying and surface engineering. “It’s very stimulating because in aviation, workforce development and academic or corporate training are intrinsically linked to research. »
He explains that the carbon neutrality targets for 2050 present the industry with a series of colossal challenges. “Biofuels, hydrogen, electrification, hybrid planes, drones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, all of this has to be invented and mastered. For those entering the programs and for those who have been in the job market for 10, 15 or 20 years, it’s dizzying. »
This physicist, specialist in materials and coatings, says he carried out several research projects with the turbine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, based in Longueuil. “One year I had trouble completing a research project because the company hired all of my master’s and doctoral students. »
For this researcher who arrived from the CNRS ten years ago, nothing better illustrates the collaborative trend that runs through the entire training system than the creation of the CRIAQ in 2002. Since then, more than 4,200 students and researchers have worked there on 230 projects. in 120 companies, 34 universities and research centers which have filed 200 patents and licenses. However, to maximize the spirit of collaboration, each program must bring together at least two companies and two universities, explains Professor Moreau.
This is why, since the creation of CAMAQ, Montreal’s approach to aerospace training is aimed at both students and workers and involves all educational institutions, large companies and SMEs. . Christian Moreau cites the case of the Concordia Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation (ICIAC), which he directed. “Since undergraduate engineering programs are regulated and evolve slowly, Concordia University has set up an institute to create additional non-curricular training tools, ranging from courses on specialized software to cybersecurity workshops , he explains. Our students can take them as an option, but they are also offered in continuing education and therefore accessible to companies and workers. This is what allows us to stay agile. »
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.
