Confederation College partners with Alstom for workforce development

Confederation College and Alstom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to better match education and training with the company’s workforce needs through 2029.

The partnership will help align academic programs with industry demand and prepare students for careers in transportation and manufacturing.

“Confederation College is committed to working with industry partners to ensure our programs reflect current and future workforce needs,” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “This partnership with Alstom will help strengthen pathways from education to employment, ensuring students graduate with the skills and experience needed to fill Alstom’s in-demand roles.”

The MOU outlines a structured approach to define job requirements and develop training capacity to meet future needs.

Alstom recently received a $2.3 billion contract from the Toronto Transit Commission to build 440 new subway cars. These trains will replace older ones and support future expansion.

The trains will be designed, built and tested in Canada, creating and supporting 945 jobs nationwide, including 250 in Thunder Bay. The project supports Alstom’s goal of providing Canadian-made transit solutions.

“At Alstom, we’re focused on building long-term career pathways that strengthen Canadian manufacturing and keep our country’s transit projects moving,” said Lindsay Fenton, Chief of Operations at Alstom. “This MOU with Confederation College helps connect students and jobseekers to the skills and training that match both our local and national hiring needs, creating opportunities for people in northwestern Ontario while supporting the workforce we need through 2029.”