Quebec-based aerospace companies, especially those in the Mirabel-Basses-Laurentides area, now have the all new Institut de formation aérospatiale (IFA) to help them fill their labour training and development needs.

Three large, world-renowned training schools will offer their expertise and provide training that will perfectly accommodate the needs of these businesses. These three schools are the École des métiers de l’aérospatiale de Montréal (ÉMAM), which trains tradespeople; the École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA), which trains technicians; and the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), which trains engineers. The Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) and the Centre for Aerospace Manpower Activities in Quebec (CAMAQ) are the masterminds behind this new Institute that is located in the airport area at Mirabel.

The INSTITUT DE FORMATION AÉROSPATIALE
UNIQUE IN NORTH AMERICA

THE EXPERTISE OF THREE MAJOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN JUST ONE PLACE

The ÉMAM, ÉNA, and ÉTS bring together different types of clientele and offer initial, technical, and university training services. In the past, these schools repeatedly found opportunities for collabora-tion and partnership. Henceforth, through the Institut de formation aérospatiale, these three major schools will offer training in one place. The resulting synergy will be a source of development and innovation in several aspects of the training. To name a few: sharing the machinery, equipment, maximization of the use of space for classrooms, workshops, laboratories, and service areas, as well as discussions between teachers and students to achieve the scope and multiple possibilities underlying this partnership. So many components that will be optimized and that will really contribute to generating sizeable savings that can be reinvested in the creation of new pedagogical productions, including innovative projects that will benefit the aerospace community.

The Institut de formation aérospatiale chose the Mirabel region not only to be near the clientele in this area, but also to be near the thousands of workers in the aerospace Com­panies active in the Greater Montreal area.

THE IFA’S FIRST STEPS

Some of the ÉMAM cohorts should start their training in aircraft structural assembly as early as June 2005 in order to take care of the industry’s immediate needs. This training will lead to a vocational school diploma. The ÉNA plans to start a cohort in the fall that would lead to an Attestation of Collegial Studies. The École de technologie supérieure will offer university level advanced training as part of certificate or specialized course programs.

THE INSTITUT DE FORMATION AÉROSPATIALE IS BETTING ON SUCCESS

The Institut de formation aérospatiale will have a joint board of directors and a chief executive officer whose job will be to facilitate activities and create a bridge between businesses and the educational institutions that make up the Institute. The busi-nesses and the educational institutions will be equal members and will be equally responsible for the decisions governing the IFA.

Each institution (ÉMAM, ÉNA, ÉTS) will be respon­sible on the national level for the educational orga­nization, quality control, pedagogical supervision, and evaluation of learning under its jurisdiction, and each will be an integral part of the Institut de formation aérospatiale (IFA).

CAMAQ is the key Player in the Development and Excellence of Quebec’s Aerospace Industry

Since its creation in 1978, the Centre for Aerospace Manpower Activities in Quebec (CAMAQ) has gone to great lengths to stimulate the development and excellence of Quebec’s aero­space industry. CAMAQ has made it its mission to encourage better collaboration between employers, workers, those responsible for educational institutions, and government representatives involved in planning and training the labour force. CAMAQ acts as a consulta­tive organization that brings together the driving forces of Quebec’s aerospace industry.

CAMAQ initiated the creation of the École des métiers de l’aérospatiale de Montréal (ÉMAM). This school / factory, unique in Canada, came into being in 1994. Its mission is to train specialized workers who are able to respond to the aerospace industry’s specific needs.

Created in 1997 with the collaboration of CAMAQ, the Quebec Aerospace Association’s (AQA) mission is to evaluate, and act on questions that impact Canadian competitiveness.

Since 1992, CAMAQ has launched and coordinated a series of meetings in order to set up a project to consolidate research and innovation in universities, the industrial sector, and government. In 2003, this work resulted in the creation of the Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en aérospatiale au Québec (CRIAQ). CRIAQ brings together the leaders in research and development in the aerospace industry and the engineering schools and faculties affiliated with Quebec universities. Furthermore, CAMAQ has made available to six Quebec universities and to engineering students, a technologically advanced aerospace laboratory. This laboratory is used by students registered in the virtual environment option of the aerospace engineering masters program.