13 June 2011 - Aerospace industry encourages young people to choose this sector of the future
Aerospace industry encourages young people to choose this sector of the future
Montréal, April 14, 2010 - Aéro Montréal – the aerospace cluster of Metropolitan Montréal – and Collège Édouard-Montpetit’s École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) today called on students who are currently registering for post-secondary education to consider a career in aerospace with its excellent long-term employment prospects.
Despite the powerful economic shocks of the past year, the aerospace industry is confident that it will be able to quickly get back on track to growth and productivity in view of recent signs of economic recovery and favourable forecasts being made by international transportation analysts. Accordingly, it wants to be sure of building a qualified and available workforce today to meet the needs of tomorrow.
“Last March, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that global passenger traffic had risen by 5.6%, which bodes well for the industry’s future. As the third largest manufacturing sector in Québec, Québec aerospace is recognized worldwide as a model of excellence with an 8.5% average annual growth in sales over the last 26 years,” said Suzanne M. Benoît, CEO of Aéro Montréal.
“This success has been made possible thanks in large part to the highly skilled women and men who are passionate about the aerospace industry. We need to maintain our competitive edge and work together to create the next generation of aerospace technicians and engineers,” said John Saabas, President of Pratt & Whitney Canada and President of the Aéro Montréal Human Resources Development Working Group.
Faced with a significant drop in applications for admission to its technical training programs, École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) is promoting the opportunities its quality courses offer graduates.
“ÉNA is North America’s only educational institution specialized in aerospace that offers cutting-edge technical training in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and avionics,” said Serge Brasset, CEO of Collège Édouard-Montpetit and director of ÉNA.
“There are good employment prospects in aerospace for our graduates even though the economic climate is currently affecting our level of industrial production. Our graduates are sought after for their skills and young people should continue to choose technical careers in aerospace. Given that technical training takes three years, young people need to select aerospace and enrol in a programtoday to meet the manpower needs for the years to come. In this regard, applications for admission will be accepted at any time,” he added.
According to data from the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export, in the last 26 years, from 1984 to 2009, the aerospace sector has more than doubled in size, from 15,800 to 40,200 jobs, despite economic recessions.
In addition, a survey of manpower needs in the Québec aerospace industry conducted in the fall of 2008 by the Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre en aérospatiale du Québec (CAMAQ) estimates that a 3% average workforce turnover rate in the aerospace sector (departures and retirements) will result in jobs to be filled in the future. Furthermore, with the aging population and shrinking active labour force in Québec, the province faces a major demographic challenge. These factors, combined with the economic recovery, lead to the conclusion that manpower needs in the aerospace industry will be very real in the years to come.
“The aerospace industry is undoubtedly an area of the future,” said Gilles Labbé, President and CEO of Héroux Devtek. “With the expected growth and the many retirements to come, we must prepare the next generation. The aerospace industry offers exciting challenges and great future prospects for young people.”
“One need only look at the demographic trends to see a major need for manpower,” said Michel Toutant, President and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Canada. “Despite the impact of the economic crisis on our industry, the medium-and long-term forecasts for aerospace are good and we will need skilled workers to meet demand.”
A concerted action plan for succession
Brought together through Aéro Montréal Human Resources Development Working Group, Québec aerospace industry players are working to formulate, coordinate and implement a concerted action plan to address the major issues of succession and manpower in aerospace and, ultimately, to increase the industry’s competitiveness.
Since its inception in 2008, the working group has taken steps to raise young people's interest in aerospace and motivate the next generation to continue its studies. Among other initiatives, the working group has taken steps to build a bridge between École des métiers de l'aérospatiale de Montréal (ÉMAM) and ÉNA to facilitate the transition of students from vocational to college level training.
About Aéro Montréal
Aéro Montréal, Greater Montréal’s aerospace cluster, is a think tank that brings together all the major decision makers in Québec’s aerospace sector, including companies, educational and researchinstitutions, associations and unions.
Aéro Montréal’s mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and focused actions to increase cohesion and optimize competitiveness. By fostering the growth and expansion of Greater Montréal’s aerospace cluster, it intends to make this industry an increasingly important source of wealth creation for the Montréal region, Québec and Canada.Theoretical training is combined with practice and students may participate in an alternating work-study program thatincludes paid internships in companies. ÉNA allows its students to go directly to the job market or continue university studies in engineering.
About École nationale d’aérotechniqueÉcole nationale d’aérotechnique, the leader in North America, offers specialized college-level technicalprograms in aeronautical manufacturing, aircraft maintenance and avionics.A large number of programs in leading-edge sectors arealso offered as part of continuing education (methods agent, numerical control, structure, gas turbines,landing gear, etc.).
For information:
Émilie Dutil-Bruneau
Tel.: (514) 843-2370
Cell.: (514) 654-3180