Preparing the next generation to build Québec’s clean energy future
A collaboration between Englobe, Cégep de Baie-Comeau and Hy2gen to support the transition
As the clean energy transition accelerates both in Québec and across Canada it has become clear that training a qualified next generation capable of designing, delivering, and overseeing large-scale projects is vitally important.
It is in this spirit that Englobe welcomed eleven civil engineering and environmental technologies students from the Cégep de Baie-Comeau to the site of Hy2gen’s future green hydrogen plant in Baie-Comeau.
This initiative aligns fully with Englobe’s commitment to actively contribute to the clean energy transition while also playing a key role in developing local, skilled talent that will drive this transition forward in the years to come.
A practical look at a key project
During this field visit, the students had a unique opportunity to move from theory to practice through immersion in a project’s geotechnical study phase.
Under the expert guidance of professionals from Englobe and Hy2gen, the students explored several technical components that are crucial to delivering a project of this scale:
- soil seismic profiles,
- rock characterization,
- site accesses,
- and a broader understanding of issues related to the site’s environmental aspects.
Beyond the project’s technical aspects, the visit also helped raise students’ awareness of the rigorous health and safety protocols that govern field work — an essential component in modern professional practice.
A pioneering project serving the clean energy transition
Hy2gen’s project represents a major step forward for Québec. This future green hydrogen plant - the first of its scale in the province - reflects a clear intention to develop more sustainable energy sources and support the decarbonization of the economy.
Beyond its environmental impact, the project is also a significant driver for regional development. Once operational, the plant could generate up to 1,300 jobs, helping to stimulate the local economy and boosting the attractiveness of the Baie-Comeau region.
For Englobe, organizing this visit means not only engaging its multidisciplinary expertise – specifically in geotechnical and geoenvironmental fields - but also providing practical support for the transition toward more responsible infrastructure.
This type of initiative transforms learning into a practical experience. By exposing students to an actual multidisciplinary project, we offer them the tools to better understand the industry’s current challenges and project themselves into their future careers.
note Natacha Sénéchal, Senior Director, Business Practice, Admin at Englobe
Learning differently: sharing field expertise
To enhance the learning experience, another activity was organized as part of the environmental engineering course in the civil engineering program. Englobe professionals presented two modules designed to explain the permitting process in Québec and its implications on construction sites, as well as how these sites manage contaminated materials and soil.
These presentations highlighted the complexity and breadth of expertise required to deliver a sustainable infrastructure project, while also offering a concrete perspective on the realities of a career in consulting engineering.
By working closely with higher education institutions, we help train the next generation of skilled professionals – one which is engaged, aware of environmental challenges, and ready to actively contribute to Québec’s clean energy transition.
Natacha adds
Building the future alongside the next generation
At Englobe, we are proud to take part in initiatives that advance the clean energy transition in Québec and across Canada, while equipping those who will ensure its advancement.
This site visit, which was made possible through collaboration with Hy2gen and the Cégep de Baie-Comeau, is an excellent illustration of our intention to deliver practical learning opportunities, rooted in innovative projects, that benefit local communities.
Beyond the visit itself, this initiative reflects a fundamental principle at Englobe: investing in the development of homegrown talent to generate lasting social and economic benefits for Québec.
By fostering knowledge transfer between seasoned professionals and students, Englobe is contributing to building a stronger, more inclusive industry that is better prepared to face future challenges.
Through high-impact projects like Hy2gen’s green hydrogen plant, Englobe reaffirms its commitment to a more sustainable future, by combining expertise, collaboration, and the training of the women and men who will be its key drivers in the future.