On behalf of Hydro-Québec, host of the IERE Workshop The Next Generation of Power Engineers and Researchers, I would like to welcome you to this international get-together on recruitment and training in the field of electrical engineering.

One of Hydro-Québec’s objectives is to prepare the new generation of electrical engineers and researchers. New technological approaches are now needed in the electrical industry and it is expected that in the next decade hundreds of engineers and specialized researchers will be retiring. We must therefore be able to count on high-quality graduates who will form the succession so that our company can continue to grow and maintain its position as one of the world’s top producers and suppliers of electricity. This situation is also present throughout the electrical industry, especially among manufacturing and engineering-consulting firms.

Hydro-Québec has implemented various solutions to deal with retirements and development prospects. One example is the creation of the electrical engineering institute. Hydro-Québec has in fact partnered up with Quebec universities and industry to add impetus to electrical engineering instruction and provide training that meets the industry’s needs.

Companies, universities, and government organizations from all over the world are working on succession training. This IERE workshop is providing us with an opportunity to hear the views of a group of international speakers and to share our knowledge of this topic. Such a discussion will, I am sure, prove to be both stimulating and relevant.

I wish you a wonderful day.

Roger Lanoue

Vice President of Research and Strategic Planning for Hydro-Québec and Vice Chair of the IERE Board Members