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OUR FLAGSHIP INDUSTRY

As a flagship industry in Greater Montreal, the aeronautics sector plays a key role in the economy of the Agglomération de Longueuil. The existing infrastructure, the presence of specialized research centres, the large pool of companies, the available workforce and the concentration of global business leaders work together to position our region advantageously in this niche.

The aerospace industry in our area by the numbers

78

businesses

7,629

jobs

40%

of Quebec's SMEs

1

in 25 workers

40% of Quebec’s aerospace SMEs are located here (Source: DEL industrial census). 1 IN 25 WORKERS is employed by the aeronautics sector (Source: Étude sur les retombées économiques des activités aéroportuaires de la région de Longueuil)

MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE AREA

An outstanding workforce

One of the challenges faced by the entire industry in North America is finding a qualified aerospace engineering workforce. To respond to this challenge, the agglomeration relies on its highly regarded research centres and academic institutions. For example, hundreds of students graduate from the l’École nationale d’aérotechnique in aeronautics each year. The Centre technologique en aérospatiale also meets the daily needs of aeronautics companies in many ways.

In this context, the region is in an excellent position to overcome this challenge by providing a skilled workforce planning to work in the aerospace industry. Proximity to Montreal, highway access and the high-quality public transit network facilitate employee retention and lead to a low turnover rate. The skilled workforce, which has been serving the area for decades, is characterized by its competence, competitiveness and training.

The Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA)

  • The only Canadian applied aerospace research centre associated with an educational institution
  • State-of-the-art facilities spanning a 3,000 m2 area

Industry data for Greater Montreal

  • 43,400 jobs in aerospace in Greater Montreal*
  • 16,500 university students are enrolled in programs related to aerospace, resulting in 3,500 new university graduates and over 500 college graduates every year**
  • 1 in 50 people works in the aerospace sector in Greater Montreal and 45% of Canada’s workforce in aerospace is established in Greater Montreal***
  • Operating costs in the industry are 25% lower than the average of the 20 largest metropolitan areas in Canada and the United States
*Source: Montréal International, Greater Montréal: A Global Aerospace Hub. 2020.
*Source: Montréal International, Greater Montréal: A Global Aerospace Hub. 2020.
*Source: Montréal International, Greater Montréal: A Global Aerospace Hub. 2020.

OUR KEY STRENGTHS

  • The presence of numerous research centres, such as the Canadian Space Agency
  • Home to the École nationale d’aérotechnique, the largest aerospace technical training institution in North America and the only institution in Quebec to offer complete training in avionics, aircraft construction and aircraft maintenance
  • Location of major contractors, such as Pratt & Whitney and Héroux-Devtek
  • Level 1 and 2 assemblers, manufacturers, equipment makers, software designers, simulator manufacturers, specialized suppliers, etc.

Regional portrait : Agri-Food sector


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