NORMANDIN, Q.C.  — The Member of Parliament for Roberval , Nancy Guillemette , announced, on behalf of the Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, an investment of $428,823 for the training of mechanics in the wood processing and paper manufacturing sector, to meet the needs of businesses in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Work-study program

The mechanics and equipment maintenance training offered, tailor-made to meet specific needs, includes a total of 800 hours of training. This will take place in the form of a work-study program, consisting of 480 hours in class and 320 hours of paid internship in a company. Mainly focused on learning industrial mechanics, the training also includes a block devoted to understanding wood transformation processes.

Tailor-made training now

As part of this cohort training, the Pays-des-Bleuets School Services Center, through its Business Services , will offer training to 16 workers from seven companies in the region, namely Sciages GP , PFR, Opiticiwan Sawmill, JAMEC, Tackipotcikan Sawmill Limited Partnership, Wemotaci and NJR Sharpening.

Remember that in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, there are 274 companies that use construction mechanics and industrial mechanics. The training offered therefore meets concrete needs. The Wood Sectoral Workforce Committee, Formabois, collaborated in the identification of training needs and will ensure the delivery of this training as project promoter.

“I am very pleased to announce this investment of nearly $430,000 for the training of the next generation in a key sector of our region," said Guillemette. "The forestry sector needs qualified workers to continue to play its leading role in the economy of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and to ensure its productivity and competitiveness. I would particularly like to thank the Pays-des-Bleuets School Service Center for setting up this training in Normandin."