Quebec will need more than 52,000 engineering professionals to meet urgent workforce needs over the next decade, according to a study by the Order of Engineers of Quebec (OIQ). The newspaper.
“We need to redouble our efforts to ensure we have those 52,000 students. We will now see young people at the secondary level,” Sophie Larivière-Mantha, president of the Order of Engineers of Quebec (OIQ), told the Journal.
Even if she believes she can get there thanks to students and immigration, it will be a challenge for Quebec given its labor shortage.
“The balance will be fragile in IT, aerospace and electronics sectors. There could be a deficit. We need to do more,” she adds.
Twelve years after receiving her engineering diploma, Sophie Larivière-Mantha was elected President of the Order of Engineers of Quebec. Provided by the Order of Engineers of Quebec
According to OIQ, demand for engineers will explode by 40% in just ten years. This is driven by computer engineering (+73%), chemical engineering (+47%) and aerospace engineering (+30%), economic growth, retirement and regional mobility oblige.
In the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Chaudière-Appalaches and the Capitale-Nationale, needs are becoming more urgent due to demographic growth, the organization analyzes.
“When I went into engineering, I was looking for some security because I knew the job prospects were good,” admits Coralie Grégoire, 24, a computer engineering graduate from the University of Sherbrooke.
“Ten internship offers per student”
According to her, with the advent of the ChatGPT conversation robot and artificial intelligence, IT will establish itself almost everywhere in the world of work.
“We have ten internship offers per student. You can receive between $60,000 and $90,000 upon your departure. With our full title it can increase very quickly,” says Coralie Grégoire.
About 200 kilometers away, at the University of Laval, 27-year-old Olivier Doiron, who is completing his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, is also feeling the excitement.
“Future engineers lost out. It’s supply and demand. If you are an exemplary employee, the employer will have no choice but to pay more,” he whispers.
Olivier Doiron, 27 years old, is completing his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Laval. Provided by Olivier Doiron
As an engineer, Olivier Doiron will be able to direct technicians or even carry out 3D designs of machines with material resistance calculations.
The schools are full
On Wednesday, Le Journal asked Quebec engineering schools if there were any applications.
“Since fall 2021, we have seen an increase in the total number of students (student population) in engineering at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The faculty enrolled 2,635 students in engineering programs in fall 2023,” emphasized Laval University engineering spokesperson Laurie Couture.
“At the start of the fall 2023 school year, we recorded a 14% increase in new high school graduates compared to 2022,” said Olivier Audet, spokesman for the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS).
Frédéric Brunel studied technical physics at the Polytechnique Montréal. He stood out for a project with the Canadian Space Agency. Provided by Polytechnique Montréal
At the University of Sherbrooke, the number of engineering students increased from 3,728 in 2021-2022 to 3,827 in 2022-2023, an increase of just 99 or 3%.
As for Polytechnique Montréal, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, the number of bachelor’s students increased from 5,730 in 2022 to 5,767 in 2023, an increase of 37 or less than 1%.
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