Schneider Electric and Centennial College Partner to Advance Energy Transition Skills in Canada

Schneider Electric Canada and Centennial College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration on workforce development, applied research and sustainability education. Announced on 22 October 2026 in Milton, Ontario, the partnership aims to equip students with skills needed for Canada's increasingly electrified and digital economy. The agreement will bring together Schneider Electric's expertise in energy technology, industrial automation and digitalisation with Centennial College's applied learning and industry training capabilities.

 

The collaboration will explore industry-informed education, work-integrated learning and opportunities for students to gain practical experience with emerging technologies. Potential areas include smart technologies, digital transformation, decarbonisation and energy efficiency. By connecting academic programmes with industry requirements, the organisations aim to support the development of technical skills needed across Canada's energy and industrial sectors. However, the announcement does not specify new courses, training capacity targets or funding commitments.

 

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Hugo Lafontaine, Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric Canada, highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between educational institutions and businesses. "Strong collaboration between industry and education is essential to preparing the workforce of tomorrow," he said. Lafontaine added that the partnership would explore opportunities to connect students with real-world experiences and technologies supporting a more digital and sustainable economy.

 

Dr. Craig Stephenson, President and CEO of Centennial College, emphasised the workforce requirements associated with Canada's electricity transition. "The energy transition is a people transition," he said, adding that Canada will need approximately 130,000 additional skilled workers to double its electricity supply by 2050. The partnership is intended to help address this challenge through industry engagement and practical learning opportunities. Its contribution will depend on the training programmes, research activities and student opportunities developed under the agreement.