Springboard Atlantic is planning a couple of events in conjunction with the Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster to help the region’s manufacturers benefit from the Toronto-based manufacturing group.
The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, which is operated by the not-for-profit Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, or NGen, is one of the five superclusters created by the federal government two years ago. The goal of the program – which also created Canada’s Ocean Supercluster on the East Coast – is to create centres of excellence in specific industries to help the country compete internationally.
Springboard – the commercialization network representing 19 Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions – and NGen are planning a webinar and conference to help the region’s entrepreneurs understand how the Toronto supercluster can help them.
“NGen is dedicated to leveraging the strengths of our manufacturing and technology sectors and our highly skilled workforce right across Canada to build world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities for the benefit of Canadians,” said NGen CEO Jayson Myers in a statement. “We want to ensure that Atlantic Canada can benefit from the collaborative project opportunities NGen supports, and that advanced manufacturing capabilities in Atlantic Canada play a bigger part in our country’s economic future.”
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy, accounting for 10 percent of Canada’s GDP and 68 percent of its merchandise exports.
The two groups will host a general information session via Webinar on March 25, including an overview of the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster and how Atlantic Canada’s business and research communities can participate.
On May 28, Springboard Atlantic and NGen will host the Advanced Manufacturing Collaboration Day for Atlantic Canada’s manufacturing sector at Pier 21 in Halifax.
The goal of these sessions is to prompt discussions about challenges in Atlantic Canada’s manufacturing sector and identify potential projects that could leverage AM Supercluster funding or other funds. The host groups also aim to develop an Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Research Expertise and Capacity report, which will be made available to Atlantic Canadians and the NGen membership.
“I’m pleased that Springboard has the opportunity to introduce NGen to Atlantic Canada,” said Springboard CEO Daryl Genge. “We have deep research expertise and innovative businesses in our region that can increase sector competitiveness and sustainability while generating new economic opportunities for Canada.”
Disclosure: Springboard Atlantic is a client of Entrevestor.
