Labour force availability

A competent, available labour force

The region has a skilled workforce thanks in particular to the local college. As part of its regular curriculum, the Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel (Cégep) de Sorel-Tracy offers the following technical programs:

Office automation
Accounting and Management (DEC-BAC College diploma linked to a bachelor's degree in accounting also offered)
Insurance and financial services consulting
Industrial electronics
Environment, occupational health and safety
Mechanical engineering
Business computing (College diploma linked to a bachelor's in computer science also offered)
Nursing (College diploma linked to a bachelor's degree also available)
Specialized educational techniques

A CEGEP-Industry liaison committee reviews the programs on a regular basis, making necessary adjustments in keeping with industry needs.

Furthermore, the Business Services (Continuing Education) leads technical assistance and technology transfer projects for businesses in the Lower Richelieu region.

Two vocational training and adult education centres also offer courses leading to a vocational diploma.

Finally, most of the workforce lives in the region--no less than 75% work locally.

Sorel-Tracy's workforce is specialized in industrial manufacturing. Of the 21,480 people in the labour force in the MRC de Pierre-De Saurel, 6,245 workers are in manufacturing, (29% of the total), compared with 17% for the province of Quebec.