A college diploma in order to push the pot

Simon-Pier Ouellet

Wednesday, 21 march, 2018 19:33

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Wednesday, 21 march, 2018 19:33

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GATINEAU | The Cégep de l’outaouais speeds up the not to offer as soon as the fall of the first diploma of collegial studies related to the cultivation of cannabis in Quebec.

“This is an emerging need and we have the mission as an institution to participate in the economic development “, explains the director of studies at the Cégep de l’outaouais, Jacqueline Lacasse.

With the economic boom caused by the legalization of impending cannabis in Canada, the college has partnered with one of the largest licensed producers of pot in the country, Hydropothicaire, located in Gatineau.

A formal request will be submitted to the ministry of Education this spring to implement the program of quality control and processing of the marijuana. An attestation of collegial studies may be available this fall, and a technique in 2020.

In applicant a project quickly, the Cégep de l’outaouais wishes to become the reference in the province.

Strong demand

Hydropothicaire signed in February an agreement with the government of Québec for the supply of cannabis when it comes to legalization.

The company currently has 120 employees and wants to increase this to 300 once the expansion of 1.5 million square feet completed.

The director of human resources at Hydropothicaire, Andrée St-Cyr, admits that the lack of specific training currently represents a challenge.

“Our people come from traditional sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture. It is necessary to adapt them to our process. If we can have employees already trained, it would make things easier, ” she said.