Alstom and a consortium of colleges and universities known as the Earth District have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create new learning, research and work opportunities in the mobility sector.

The two organisations say that the MOU, signed today, will “help develop the talent Ontario and Canada need to deliver sustainable mobility solutions critical to tackling the climate crisis”, including electrifying regional rail systems.

Alstom is a major supplier of regional rail systems in Canada and a global leader in manufacturing and maintaining electric trains.

The Earth District consortium includes Centennial College, Fleming College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University, and University of Toronto Scarborough, spanning the eastern Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The work will involve Alstom University, the company’s in-house learning and skills development entity.

The two organisations agreed to:

• cooperate on hiring interns, co-op students and new graduates from the Earth Collaborators universities and colleges;
• share opportunities to use Alstom’s global network of senior experts to deliver rail-related lectures and assist student-led technical challenge initiatives;
• assess and define opportunities to develop the first Canadian rail specialisation in engineering, which is to be accessible to undergraduate students from Ontario-Tech engineering programs through Alstom University, and other learning program opportunities;
• explore additional opportunities that would benefit all parties, including opportunities related to joint research and development.

The five colleges and universities between them have more than eighty thousand students enrolled at them, including  college (full-time and part-time), undergraduate and graduate students. They will deliver a variety of programs, including skilled trades with specialisations in transportation, engineering programs and project management.

By collaborating with the consortium, Alstom gains direct access to key talent. It also gains the opportunity to advise students on knowledge and skill needs and to explore a systems approach to innovation in the rail industry by using expertise in adjacent sectors.

The two bodies expect this relationship to make an immediate impact, as Alstom is already delivering several projects and services in the GTA, including light-rail vehicles to Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission. Alstom employs over 2,200 people in the GTA, notably in Whitby and Brampton. It is the only manufacturer that has rolling stock production facilities in Ontario.

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom’s Americas Region, said, “We want to share not only our passion with the students, but provide them with the opportunity to join us and to drive urgent shift toward sustainability through research, development, and technology.

“Ask any Alstom employee what they love most about their work, and they will tell you it is because we do something that truly matters. At Alstom, we work every day to tackle climate change through sustainable mobility. We want to share not only our passion with the students, but provide them with the opportunity to join us and to drive urgent shift toward sustainability through research, development, and technology.”

Les Jacobs, Vice President of Research and Innovation, and project leader on behalf of Ontario Tech University, said, “The Earth District consortium is excited to embark on this MOU with Alstom to collaboratively engage and develop future talent at both the college and university levels on initiatives that will build sustainable mobility solutions to help address climate change. Collaboration amongst post-secondary institutions that aligns with the goals of industry partners like Alstom, will allow us to create change and develop innovative solutions that are critical to a sustainable future.”

Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, said, “This exciting, new partnership will provide Ontario’s postsecondary students with valuable internships at Alstom to prepare them for jobs in the high-demand rail and sustainable technology sectors. It is a true win-win as Alstom will have access to some of the brightest, new talent coming out of our postsecondary sector to meet their workforce needs.”