Aero Montreal, Quebec's aerospace cluster, has received $2 million in financial support from the Quebec Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity. The announcement was made by Mr. Francois Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, during a Financing Seminar organized by Aero Montreal, and will be used to the launch the 5th cohort of the MACH Initiative.

Suppliers in this new cohort will join the 47 companies that are already participating in the MACH Initiative, a customized program for SMEs that aims to improve their performance and competitiveness.

During the seminar, Minister Blais awarded new MACH performance labels to four participating SMEs: CPS industries, DICI Industries, Vestshell and M1 Composites Technology.

"The Government of Quebec is committed to promoting a better alignment between manpower skills and company needs," explains Minister Blais. "Through the MACH Initiative, 1,700 workers from 70 companies will be able to benefit from highly-specialized training by 2019. This training will enable the small and medium-sized enterprises involved to improve their competitiveness and better meet international quality requirements."

"The MACH Initiative has always enjoyed unfailing support from the Government of Quebec," says Ms. Benoit. "The announcement by Minister Francois Blais is extremely encouraging for our aerospace SMEs in Quebec. The supply chain is in constant transformation around the world. To remain competitive, our companies need to innovate continuously and stand out through their operational excellence. This financial assistance will be used to enhance the skills of SMEs, help them improve their practices and set themselves apart at a global level."

To date, close to 600 projects will soon be completed thanks to nearly $8.5 million in direct private and public contributions and at least $5.6 million in indirect private investments. The Metropolitan Community of Montreal and Canada Economic Development have supported the administrative aspects of the MACH Initiative since its inception.

The Aero Montreal Financing Seminar concluded activities marking the 10th anniversary of the aerospace cluster.

About the MACH Initiative:

The MACH Initiative, established by Aero Montreal in 2012, is a program to improve the competitiveness and performance of the aerospace supply chain. Each member company of the Initiative is accompanied by one of its customers which also acts as a mentor. The MACH Initiative is designed to help suppliers better understand the needs and expectations of prime contractors to ensure that they can meet them, locally and internationally.