This text is part of the special section Génie québécois
“Quebec is in a context of labor scarcity and engineering is no exception,” says the president of the Order of Engineers of Quebec, Sophie Larivière-Mantha. But to have a better picture of the challenges to come, a study was necessary.
Two years after publishing a very first projection of labor needs, the Order of Engineers of Quebec (OIQ) published the study last November Screenings. Supply and demand for engineering professionals in Quebec. Horizon 2033carried out in collaboration with Aviseo Conseil.
“We chose to update a portion of the study to reflect new data from Statistics Canada for 2021,” explains the president of the OIQ. It must also be said that the first study was published in the context of a pandemic; Once the crisis was resolved, new trends emerged which had to be taken into account. Even if certain trends were already present, such as the energy transition and the circular economy, others have gained momentum in recent years, such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, the imbalance between supply and demand housing and inflation.
Significant growth
By 2033, the Order estimates that nearly 52,000 new engineering professionals will be required to meet the needs created by major societal projects and emerging trends. Demand was estimated by taking into account the growth of the economy and the needs for temporary or permanent replacement of the existing workforce (parental leave, retirement, inter-professional mobility).
Some areas are particularly “under tension”, the study reveals. Electronic and electrical engineering, firstly, because of the major projects to come and the significant energetic transition to begin. “Despite everything that has been done, we estimate that the deficit will be maintained over time,” estimates Mr.me Larivière-Mantha. The field of computer and software engineering, which is experiencing significant growth, must continue to recruit despite strong interest. “There are a lot of people who enroll in these programs. The pool is big, but the needs are great,” she explains. And if it was difficult to assess the recovery of the aerospace sector during the pandemic, the significant recovery creates tension in this area. “Perhaps some left the field during the pandemic, which means that we are in a bit of a deficit,” she notes.
The match between needs and supply is also more fragile in certain regions. The scarcity of labor risks further affecting the regions of Laurentides, Lanaudière, Chaudière-Appalaches and Capitale-Nationale, which are experiencing significant economic and demographic growth. In Outaouais, it is rather the proximity to Ontario and the capital which puts pressure on the scales. “The federal government is looking for a portion of IT professionals, for example,” suspects the president.
Shortly after the launch of the study, Quebec increased the number of announcements, which risks having an effect on the demand for engineering professionals (Hydro-Québec growth plan to double its production capacity, mega-factory of Northvolt batteries). “We are in the process of assessing the impact of these projects on the demand for engineers,” notes M.me Larivière-Mantha. A partial update of the portrait is therefore coming.
Avenues for action
Fortunately, solutions are emerging to ensure that supply keeps up with this growing demand. The government of Quebec has already put in place measures through Operation workforce, which targets the engineering sector as a strategic sector for the economic growth of the province. The Operation aims, among other things, to add 500 professors in engineering and computer science to help with graduation.
Engineering students also have access to the Perspectives Québec scholarships, which entitle them to a scholarship of $2,500 per successful full-time study session, for a maximum of $20,000. “Thanks to this, we have seen a growth in engineering registrations in the last two years,” says M.me Larivière-Mantha. The OIQ has also established its own initiatives, such as the Ambassador Program. Launched in 2021, it aims to spark young people’s interest in science and engineering with activities in secondary schools and CEGEPs.
Ultimately, immigration can meet part of the demand for engineering professionals, the president believes. “At the Order, we have shortened [le temps] analysis of files so that these people obtain their equivalence, which went from 18 months to 6 months,” she relates. Because, whether in civil, mechanical, industrial, chemical or other engineering, engineers will continue to be sought after in the coming years. “Genius is everywhere,” recalls Mme Larivière-Mantha.
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