With today’s unpredictable and constantly changing labour landscape, those entering the workforce are looking for jobs with a promising future. For those seeking work in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, the companies involved in the region’s rapidly growing aerospace sector offer many opportunities for long-term careers.
One such company is Safran Electronics & Defense. A France-based multinational high-technology group focused on sustainable air transport with 92,000 employees in 27 countries, Safran is a world leader in aircraft equipment manufacturing and operates in the aviation, defense, and space markets.
At its Canadian headquarters located just a short drive from the Peterborough Airport, Safran produces world-class products including aircraft landing gear, steering control units, engine controllers, and engine data management technology to record fault data.
“There are so many different fields in aerospace as a whole, whether the pilots themselves, the maintenance technicians that keep it all safe, or Safran that provides the original equipment,” says Ron James, Director of Program Management at Safran Electronics & Defense.
“Many opportunities exist across our business for technical grads, specifically for test technicians, industrialization, quality, electrical, software, and mechanical designers. We are invested in finding individuals with varying levels of experience who have new ideas and understand the latest technology across a variety of technical disciplines.”
While some of the jobs at Safran require highly skilled workers with aerospace training due to the regulations of the industry, there are also other roles supporting the company’s business operations.
“At our Peterborough site, we’re fairly equally split between manufacturing, engineering, and general support functions such as finance, IT, and program management, so there’s lots of general support business skillsets required as well,” James explains.
He adds there is also the opportunity for workers who have certain skills to receive in-house training.
“If you’re a technician that understands electronics, you can work with us in the aerospace industry. Workers can be trained to meet the aerospace standard, so there’s lots of opportunity for transferable skills. And once you’re here, you won’t want to leave the aerospace world. Once you’re bit by the aerospace bug, you’re stuck for life.”
Not only are Safran employees able to work their way up from entry-level to senior management positions, but with sites around the globe, the company even provides opportunities for movement across locations. James himself began 34 years ago at what is now the Safran Landing Systems plant in Ajax.
Other Safran employees have transferred out of Ajax to Peterborough, and some have even relocated out of country, either to work in more senior positions or to better fit their personal lives.
“People have transferred all over the world,” James says. “There’s obviously lots of opportunities in France, but we also get a lot of employees that come here from France to get that international experience and learn from a different culture.”
With the company’s focus on sustainability in support of the aviation industry’s goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050, James notes there is nothing but expansion, growth, and opportunity on the horizon at Safran.
“Most aircraft and big commercial aircraft or business aircraft are driven by hydraulics, and the trend is moving away from that to more electric,” James explains. “To have more electric systems, you need more electronic control units. That’s what we’re really focusing our energies on right now: developing the technology to support electric aircraft to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.”
Safran is also currently working with companies on the development of electric air taxis, a trend that has been gaining a lot of momentum in the industry.
“We need to stay up to date and align our technologies to make sure that we’re supporting not just standard airplane production, but these new startups that are really pushing the envelope of the industry,” James says. “It’s really refreshing for the industry, but it’s also quite eye-opening for us to be involved in something outside the mainstream of aerospace development.”
With Safran Electronics & Defense on pace for a record year in sales and competing on the world stage when it comes to design and manufacturing, James notes that while the Peterborough site was “homegrown” before turning into what it is today, it remains the best place for Safran to continue to expand its Canadian operations – including a possible future expansion to the Peterborough Airport.
“We’re actually running out of space in our current facilities, so moving over to the airport might be an opportunity for us in the future as we expand and continue to grow,” James explains. “It’s just around the corner from us, so it doesn’t change anybody’s commute and it’s a good fit for our work in the aerospace sector.”
Kyle Bruce, the Manager of Airport Administration at the Peterborough Airport, agrees. Since launching the airport development program in 2010, the airport now supports 22 businesses and has seen the number of jobs double from 251 to more than 500, and GDP grow even more, from $40 million to $90 million.
“The presence of a vibrant business hub at Peterborough Airport also stimulates the local economy, encouraging the development of ancillary services,” Bruce says. “This economic growth translates into a broader range of employment opportunities and supports overall career progression across different industries.”
As for James, he sees the potential for both businesses and job seekers wanting to participate in the tremendous growth of the aerospace sector in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
“The future here is huge, not just for Safran, but for other companies in the sector and for those working in them,” he predicts.
For more information on Safran Electronics & Defense, visit safran-group.com/countries/canada. Explore more training and employment opportunities at the Peterborough Airport at peterborough.ca/en/doing-business/airport-services.aspx.
This branded editorial is one of a series created in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
