Ottawa, April 13, 2022 –Quebec has become an important player in the Canadian electric vehicle (EV) industry with a growing capacity to face international competition. New jobs and new skills will be needed, as well as workforce development, training, retraining and upskilling solutions.
This CTIC report,Recharging Quebec's Transportation Sector,published in collaboration with Propulsion Québec, the electric and intelligent transportation cluster (TEI), outlines the current and future workforce demand and the skills required within Quebec's EV industry.
In line with the Quebec government's 2030 Plan for a Green Economy, Quebec has made electrifying the transportation sector a major priority. Quebec's strength in the electric commercial vehicle market — garbage trucks, school buses, heavy equipment and utility vehicles — is driving growth in technical roles such as mechanical and electrical engineers, software designers and developers, embedded systems developers and machine learning specialists, as well as various emerging roles.
But increasing automation and digitization, which are at the heart of EV production, are having a significant impact on the workforce, leading to a contraction of jobs in traditional internal combustion engine vehicle production.
Although Quebec's electric vehicle leaders are optimistic about the labour market and are mobilizing to develop training programs to upgrade or renew their workforce's skills, the province's ability to effectively respond to changing workforce demands will be essential to maintaining its competitive advantage.
Quotes
"Technological advances, environmental concerns, and rising fuel costs are accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles across the global transportation value chain. Progress in this area also opens the door for qualified digital workers to participate in a highly innovative and fast-growing sector that is expected to create a multitude of employment opportunities in the EV field and supporting infrastructure. Developing and harnessing the full potential of talent will be essential to continue positioning Quebec's competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving landscape", saidNamir Anani, President and CEO of CTIC.
"It's no surprise; transportation electrification represents one of our best options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec. Industry evolution comes with changes in the workforce and evolving realities and needs. Increasing automation and digitization have significant impacts on the workforce. To ensure the growth of our industry in Quebec and elsewhere, it is essential to develop, train and support a qualified workforce. That means new jobs must be created and many current workers with versatile skills must reorient themselves to facilitate the transition. To address this issue, Propulsion Québec has developedEn route!, the careers destination forelectric and intelligent transportation, an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the electric and intelligent land transportation industry and attracting new talent to create a qualified TEI workforce in the province. The electric and intelligent transition of Quebec's economy is at the heart of our priorities. Therefore, we are pleased to have collaborated with CTIC in carrying out this important study,” she said,Sarah Houde, CEO of Propulsion Québec.
About CTIC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (CTIC) is a national non-profit centre of expertise whose mission is to strengthen Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. Through reliable research, practical strategic advice and creative capacity-building programs, CTIC supports Canadian industries that, through innovative and diverse digital talent, are competitive internationally. In partnership with a broad network of industry leaders, academic partners and policymakers across Canada, CTIC has helped shape a strong and integrated digital economy for 30 years.
About Propulsion Québec
Propulsion Québec, the electric and intelligent transportation cluster, catalyzes the entire sector around joint projects with the aim of positioning Quebec among the global leaders in the development and deployment of intelligent and electric land transportation modes, to the benefit of Quebec's economy and environment. Created in 2017, Propulsion Québec supported, as of January 2022, more than 250 members, from start-ups to large companies, including Quebec institutions, research centres and mobility operators, and deploys its resources across six distinct working groups to develop and support innovative projects. The cluster receives financial support from the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC), AttriX, the Desjardins Group, Fasken, the FTQ Solidarity Fund, Hydro-Québec and Québecor.
To arrange an interview about this study or for any other media inquiries, please contact Myra Carney atm.carney@ictc-ctic.ca or at 613-237-8551, extension 774.
This study by the Information and Communications Technology Council was carried out with the contribution of Propulsion Québec and was partially funded by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Support Program.
