(Montreal) Struggling with a negative image, the aerospace industry in Quebec will do its utmost to woo young people to fill the thousands of jobs to come in the coming years.
Posted at 2:14 p.m.
Updated at 4:19 p.m.
Aéro Montréal plans to launch a first “massive communication campaign” with the general public in September to change the perceptions that stick to this key sector of the Quebec economy due to the health crisis.
Grounded planes and major layoffs captured the imagination. Many believe that a dark cloud still hangs over aerospace, notes the organization’s president and CEO, Suzanne Benoît.
“We felt it in a concrete way in schools, like the National School of Aerotechnics. Enrollment has dropped,” says Ms.me Benoît in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“Our big concern is that in two or three years, there will be a dip if we don’t have these young people going back to school. We will come to a time when we will not have enough resources. We are growing, ”she continues on the sidelines of the “Aero Montreal Construction Day”, Thursday morning in the Quebec metropolis.
The communication campaign will have at least a budget of $600,000 to $700,000, and will target young people on social networks. The message: “the aerospace industry is picking up, we’re very busy,” says Mme Benedict.
“What will have to be said essentially is that over the next 10 years, we will have 38,000 positions to fill. It’s huge,” she adds.
The needs span all types of jobs in the industry, from administration to technicians, machinists, programmers and in areas of the future like flying taxis and empowerment, lists Mme Benedict
Ottawa and Quebec also announced Thursday a financial contribution of 7.9 million to support various initiatives, particularly in terms of manpower.
The federal share amounts to 6.3 million, mentioned the Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Pascale St-Onge, by videoconference, during the meeting of Aéro Montréal, which brings together industry leaders.
The financial assistance will also support actions to strengthen companies’ cybersecurity, their international positioning and encourage eco-responsible business practices.
This article was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.
The communication campaign will also highlight the industry’s efforts in the environmental field to reduce their carbon footprint, an issue that “motivates” young people, underlines Steeve Lavoie, President of Bell Textron Canada and of the Board of Directors. administration of Aéro Montréal.
Optimistic, despite a risk of recession
The recruitment of personnel will not be compromised by a possible recession, assure the leaders of the organization who are rather optimistic.
“The order books are so full in all companies that even if there is a slowdown, I do not think we will return to the value of 2020 in the midst of a pandemic”, supports Mr. Lavoie, whose l he company hired 150 people last year.
He believes that companies with diversified activities, not working only in the commercial aviation sector, have “perhaps a little less to fear”.
The production of devices intended for public or parapublic services, including the military sector, could be spared an economic slowdown, since governments tend to reinvest in this sector when a recession approaches or at the time of a recession, according to Mr. The way.
As of December 31, the aerospace industry in Quebec employed around 35,000 people, a loss of around 9,000 jobs compared to the pre-pandemic period, indicates Ms.me Benedict.
This article was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.