On Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Quebec City, ECO Canada organized a Net Zero Bootcamp, following similar events held across Canada.
These events attracted many students from various disciplines seeking opportunities in the environmental sector. The event offered a unique opportunity for participants to gain practical skills and explore career possibilities in greenhouse gas reduction and the transition to a green economy. The event was hosted by Simon Savinel, Senior Project Manager at ECO Canada. Here’s a summary of the highlights and key moments of the day.
A Rich and Varied Learning Experience
The information day allowed participants to dive into essential topics related to Net Zero. Through presentations, debates, and activities, they covered a wide range of themes, such as defining Net Zero, the causes and consequences of climate change, and national and international commitments on the subject.
They also received an introduction to best practices in various sectors such as circular economy, mining, manufacturing, and sustainable construction.
These insights were shared thanks to the contributions of speakers from academic research and cutting-edge industries in the Quebec region, who presented their practical knowledge and effective strategies for achieving ambitious environmental goals, providing valuable tools for students in their future careers.
Thank you to our speakers:
- Frédéric Bouchard, CEO of Second Cycle
- Maxim Bergeron, CEO of Glacies Technologies
- Philippe Berrouard, Founder and CTO of Brilliant Matters
- Louis Gosselin, Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Université Laval
- André Legault, Associate Director at Martin Roy and Associés
These experts discussed how young professionals can actively contribute to the transition to a green economy, sharing insights on job market trends and the growing opportunities in the environmental sector.
Awards to Recognize Engagement
At the end of the day, each participant received:
- A certificate of participation, a value to their CV
- A 20% discount on the EPt Student Professional Title, enhancing students’ profiles in the environmental sector upon graduation
- An ECO Canada gift bag for one of the participants, chosen by random draw!
An Enriching Event for All Students
The event was open to all post-secondary students, regardless of their field of study, and attracted a variety of participants interested in the environment, engineering, social sciences, and many other sectors, enriching the discussions from interdisciplinary perspectives.
This day was part of a two-part program, with a hackathon organized the day before, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, by Québec International (which also assisted ECO Canada with the logistics of the training camp).
During this event, participants had the opportunity to analyze energy consumption data from road signage equipment and estimate the health status of their batteries. The goal was to design an accurate alert system to determine the optimal time for battery replacement, ensuring the reliable operation of the signage network.
With access to real-time and historical data, teams were able to experiment with innovative approaches, combining their knowledge in electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, and programming to optimize energy supply and ensure the safety of road users.
These two events allowed participants to showcase their skills while acquiring new ones to enhance their employability.
Conclusion
ECO Canada’s Net Zero Bootcamp was a success, offering quality training, valuable exchanges, and networking opportunities that will surely strengthen the professional prospects of participants in the environmental sector.
The Net-Zero Student Bootcamp is funded by the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.
The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that brings together Canada’s top companies and leading post-secondary institutions to tackle skills, talent, and economic challenges. Since 2015, BHER has connected, convened, and leveraged the power of its members to create opportunities for post-secondary students and workers, boost innovation, and drive collaboration. Learn more at www.bher.ca and see their work-integrated learning resources for ways to explore, invest in, and create quality WIL opportunities.
