25 June 2015

PRESS RELEASE – Building on the success of the 2014 edition, Sherbrooke Innopole has announced the return of the industry open house event on October 23 and 24, 2015. Once again, students, job seekers, and the general public will have an opportunity to discover innovative products and companies as well as appealing trades that are in demand. Roughly 10 companies have already confirmed their participation, and, in September, the 2015 cohort of 15 to 20 companies located in 2 industrial zones will be unveiled.

The goal of this large-scale event is to coordinate training with work-force needs and to highlight Sherbrooke’s industrial sector, which features a stimulating work environment with a high degree of innovation. “In addition to the technological aspect of this event, its human aspect is also of value,” explained Marie-Eve Poliquin, Sherbrooke Innopole’s Communications Director. “During the event, visitors have an opportunity to interact directly with employees in their work place.”

Last year, more than 2270 people visited 11 of Sherbrooke’s manufacturing companies. The participating companies expressed an overall satisfaction rate of 8.6 out of 10.

A survey of high school youth, conducted in the days following their visit, also revealed very interesting results:

• Among those planning a career in the industrial sector (28% of respondents), nearly 2/3 stated that the Portes ouvertes sur l’industrie event had played a role as they made their future plans;
• 62% of those who had never contemplated such a career said that the activity had kindled their interest in this sector.

The results were equally positive for the general public, who attended on the second day in significant numbers, with 64% of the respondents describing the organization of the Portes ouvertes sur l’industrie event as “excellent” and 26% as “very good.” Some 67% of the visitors indicated that their opinion of the manufacturing sector had improved subsequent to their visit and 78% stated that they would attend a second edition.

“The public’s response to the first edition exceeded our expectations. Companies and schools are already indicating lots of enthusiasm for this second year. There is remarkable collaboration between the economic and educational milieus in addressing a shared problem,” noted Marie-Ève Poliquin, who also confirmed the return of the Cégep de Sherbrooke and the Commission scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke as partners, and the addition of the Chambre de commerce de Sherbrooke.

Different clienteles will be hosted on each of the two days of the event. Friday, October 23 will be reserved for school tours. Secondary 3 and 4 students, vocational and technical training students, as well as groups of people who recently arrived in the area will have an opportunity to meet and chat with employees who are passionate about their trades and, possibly, with future employers. Saturday, October 24 is for the general public (ages 12 and up), with guided tours of the companies open for the occasion.

This event will be free for everyone attending. A shuttle service travelling between 2015 cohort companies will be provided. An interactive map will also be available for those wishing to use their own means of transportation. This is a must-attend turnkey outing!

“In addition to introducing the public to what is happening in Sherbrooke and developing a sense of pride with regard to what is made by people from the region, this event provides concrete solutions to entrepreneurs in need of a skilled workforce and hoping to extend their reach. It is important that our companies be known and recognized among our population as vital contributors to Sherbrooke’s economic health. This will occur through greater awareness of the missions and accomplishments of these companies,” explained Josée Fortin, Sherbrooke Innopole’s Director General.

The Web site www.viensvoirlesindustries.com will provide all of the details about Portes ouvertes sur l’industrie 2015, including a fact sheet on the companies being toured, the jobs available in these companies, as well as the specific features of each company visited. The Web site, for which a mobile version is available, also offers a profile of Sherbrooke’s manufacturing industry and identifies numerous types of jobs that can be found as well as the training required.

The Portes ouvertes sur l’industrie event will be the subject of a major Internet, radio, and print promotional campaign throughout the fall. A map locating and describing the companies to be toured in the context of the open house event and a special supplement on Sherbrooke’s manufacturing industry will be published in La Tribune in the days leading up to the event.