Investments in the battery sector could double in the coming years and reach $30 billion, Guy Leblanc, president and CEO of Investissement Québec, revealed to the business community of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec.
“There is still potential for another 10 to 15 billion in the next few years.” Part of this will be in Bécancour,” explained Mr Leblanc.
If investments of $11 billion are already confirmed, $4 billion is likely to be confirmed in the coming months, especially with Nouveau Monde Graphite, which has already reserved its land, and Nemaska Lithium, its construction the factory is well advanced.
Full hall for 240 people
In a speech to members of five chambers of commerce in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, Mr. LeBlanc extended his hand to allow them to be part of the equation. He believes it is important to “reassure the chambers of commerce and business owners who were present in large numbers at the meeting this morning and talk about how we can maximize the benefits for local businesses.”
Investissement Québec aims to facilitate networking with SMEs in the region, particularly with its supplier guide available on its website. “From the statistics we have seen, the demand for local businesses is clearly still very strong,” said Donald Olivier, president and CEO of Bécancour Industrial and Port Park Company. “For Ultium-Cam, Pomerleau manages the site and has already provided statistics with a regional impact of 45%.”
While 2,500 to 3,000 direct jobs will be created in Bécancour, local entrepreneurs say they are confident about the labor recruitment measures to avoid worsening the labor shortage. “Of course it was worrying, but I think it was intelligent work on their part,” shared Pascal Desrochers, owner of Soudex Métal, after Mr. The White.
In addition to the steps with educational institutions in the region, discussions are underway to set up a training center directly in the industrial park.
“With more training, more initial training, more attractive programs, because these are often programs that are not particularly attractive to young people,” explained Mia Homsy, vice-president of workforce and economic information at Investissement Québec. If we ask ourselves what the profiles are, they are many machine operators, engineers and technicians who carry out maintenance work, many of them in industrial, chemical and electrical processes. So we need adapted programs and we need a lot of people who want to work there.”
There is still space and megawatts available in the Bécancour industrial park to accommodate other players, such as the Euro Manganèse company, which specializes in battery materials. “We say smaller scale, but it’s still a few hundred million. There are other dossiers like this that will complement the sector that currently exists,” explained Donald Olivier.
Member for Nicolet-Bécancour promises new announcements from March next year. “I expect there will be two or three announcements next year.”