Quebec announces plan to train more aerospace workers to meet expected demand

MIRABEL — Quebec’s economy minister announced plans to establish a second aerospace engineering campus in the Montreal area as part of a series of initiatives to train more workers in the sector.

Bernard Drainville revealed the plans north of Montreal in Mirabel, which is home to a major aerospace hub. The government hopes to meet the growing workforce needs of the industry as the defence sector grows worldwide.

The new École nationale d’aérotechnique campus, which will be built on Montreal’s North Shore, could welcome its first students in 2028. Drainville said the campus’s exact location has yet to be determined.

The cost of the expansion is also unknown, though Drainville said it would be “a considerable investment of several million dollars.”

In the meantime, the technical college in Longueuil will increase its enrolment capacity by 70 per cent in its aircraft mechanics and avionics programs starting this year.

According to Hélène Bailleu, executive director of the aerospace school, the program’s current facilities are at capacity.

A new vocational training program will also be launched at Bombardier’s facilities in Montreal, and a second in Mirabel, near the airport and several aerospace companies.

“The goal is simple. We want to bring training closer to businesses,” said Drainville. “As part of these pilot projects, our companies have committed to opening their doors, providing students with training spaces, equipment, materials, and, above all, their expertise and know-how.”

These will initially be pilot projects but are expected to become permanent in the fall of 2027.

Éric Rancourt, the Quebec representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, welcomed the initiatives.

In a press release, he said that “being able to train more workers means giving Quebec’s aerospace industry the means to achieve its ambitions.”

The organization Aéro Montréal will also receive $830,000 in support from the Quebec government for campaigns to raise awareness of careers in the aerospace sector.

Aéro Montréal president and CEO Mélanie Lussier says the industry’s current “exceptional growth” creates new challenges.

“If we want Quebec to truly maintain its position as a leading player — or one of the leading players — on the global aerospace stage, we must address this workforce challenge,” she said.

According to the Quebec Aerospace Workforce Sector Committee, more than 65,000 positions will need to be filled in the aerospace sector over the next 10 years, including 4,453 new aircraft maintenance technicians.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2026.

Frédéric Lacroix-Couture, The Canadian Press