This text is part of the special section Higher Education
Last November, the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) inaugurated its research center in Saint-Jérôme, in the Laurentians, thus making it possible to better welcome the next generation in the field of electrification and transportation automation.
From the outset, we decided to invest in the electrification of transportation,” proudly announces Nadine Le Gal, Director General of Cégep de Saint-Jérôme.
In 2016, in “close collaboration” with the IVI, the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme created the Attestation of Collegial Studies (AEC) in electric vehicle technology, a 675-hour training course intended for professionals in the transport sector, mechanics or engineering wishing to specialize further. “This is the first training of its kind in North America. […] We created this training based on work that was scarce a few years ago, so we had to think about the needs of the environment,” explains the director. ” [Après la formation]graduates can become technicians in electrical design, manufacturing, production support and technical assistance in manufacturing,” she lists.
Unity is strength
But this partnership with the IVI is not new: it was born “in a natural way” twenty years ago. But why? “You have to understand that the IVI is affiliated with the CEGEP since it is a college center for technology transfer (CCTT). We’ve been working in research for 25 years thanks to the IVI,” explains Nadine Le Gal.
Located throughout Quebec, the 59 CCTTs are places of applied research that also offer technical support and training. “Each CCTT has its specific area of expertise. We are the vehicles. […] Our mandate is to work with companies to help them innovate more quickly, it is still very little known”, underlines François Adam, general manager of the IVI.
As for the students it takes under its wing, the IVI raises their awareness and trains them in research. “We often take interns from the AEC [en technologie des véhicules électriques]. They come to work for three or four months, so that allows them to explore the area. It’s a very formative internship, I would have liked to do such exciting internships,” says Mr. Adam.
The role that the IVI plays with the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme does not stop at internships, explains Nadine Le Gal. “The IVI also has a responsibility to contribute to education. For example, it can hire teachers for certain student research projects, which helps improve their knowledge,” she adds.
A vibrant industry
As in almost all areas, the labor shortage does not spare the electric and automatic vehicle industry, which complicates recruitment, according to François Adam. “You have to be a little more patient when recruiting because of the scarcity of labour. Then, we are not necessarily a super well-known employer”, testifies the general manager of the IVI.
To remedy this problem, Mr. Adam explains that the IVI used a new strategy in the fall to attract more students. “We offered student clubs free one-day training courses, for example on handling high-voltage batteries or on soldering battery cells. It will allow a larger pool of students to get to know us,” he says.
Even if the innovative vehicle sector is afflicted by a lack of personnel, this does not prevent it from developing at “high speed”, according to Nadine Le Gal and François Adam. “It’s an industry that has been booming for the past few years. In Quebec, there is a lot of development on the side of electric and autonomous vehicles. It’s very lively,” says Mr. Adam.
In order to adapt to the needs of the industry, the AEC training in electric vehicle technology at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme is destined to evolve over time, says Ms.me The Gal. In the future, she would like to transform this program into a three-year DEC. “We need scientists and researchers in Quebec. As a CEGEP, we play an essential role for the students, since they are in a period of transition, reflection and construction as citizens, ”believes the director general.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, relating to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.