Teachers were the ones giving the grand tour of the brand-new Leonardo-Da Vinci professional training center. It wasn’t a bad idea as the building is filled with complex machines and state-of-the-art equipment. Michel Cloutier led the tour explaining to the people following the differences between the 15 laboratories. “We set things up so that students can work in pair on real-life situations, said Mr. Cloutier. They will already have valuable experience once they begin their professional career.”
High technology and electronics are not the only things discussed in this professional center. Wood crafting is also a major part of the teachings offered.
Students also have access to two training areas where they can practice their wiring skills on real telephone posts and antennas.
All this high-tech equipment proved to be quite expensive. Out of the $10.6 millions it cost to build and garnished the center, $9.1 millions were given by the provincial government. The Marguerite-Bourgeoys school board chipped in the rest.
“We exceeded our budget, but thankfully, the government gave us a little more,” mentioned school board president Diane Lamarche-Venne.
Built in a surprisingly short time and operational since July, the center is more than 500-square-meter wide and is divided is three levels. With all that room, nearly 400 students will be able to wake the homo-habilis sleeping in them.
It’s also worth mentioning that for the most part, this building is green as the lighting and heating systems are environmentally friendly.
For the official opening ceremony, school board trustees for St. Laurent, borough councillor Laval Demers and member for St. Laurent and minister of Justice and Public security Jacques P. Dupuis all showed up.
Students were able to showcase their event organizing skills taking care of the visual presentation, the background music, the lighting and an unusual fashion show.
“We guarantee you some extraordinary jobs, said Mr. Dupuis. Too often we put the emphasis on other fields, but with the shortage of labour, this kind of training is very valuable.”
Center director Sylvie Chartrand is still impressed by how “this impossible task was done so quickly; similar to the work of Da Vinci himself.”
(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)
