New simulation lab opens at CDC Pont-Viau to support hands-on health care training
Credit SWLSB
A new simulation mannequin laboratory has officially opened at CDC Pont-Viau, the Laval vocational training centre operated by the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. The announcement was made during an official launch held on January 29, according to a press release received the same day.
The new facility is designed to enhance training for students enrolled in health care programs. It features four high-fidelity simulation mannequins representing different stages of life: an adult, a senior, a child and a newborn. According to the school board, the mannequins are capable of breathing, speaking, displaying vital signs and responding to medical interventions, allowing students to practise realistic clinical scenarios in a controlled and safe environment.
Students in programs such as Licensed Practical Nurse and Personal Support Worker can now practise essential clinical skills, including taking vital signs, starting intravenous lines, drawing blood and responding to simulated medical situations, without involving real patients.
Beyond technical skills, the school board stated that the lab is intended to support the development of critical thinking and decision-making. Through simulation-based learning, students are encouraged to test solutions, ask questions and learn from errors, fostering confidence before entering real health care settings.
Credit SWLSB
“This new lab aligns with our Commitment-to-Success Plan by strengthening learning environments that support student success,” said James Di Sano, chairperson of the school board, in the press release. He added that the project reflects the work of the CDC Pont-Viau team in preparing students for careers in the health sector.
According to the school board, the project represents an investment of more than $175,000 and is expected to benefit approximately 80 vocational training students each year. Funding was provided through a grant from Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation, with additional support from the Canada-Québec Agreement. The funding aims to improve training quality and better align vocational education with labour market needs.
CDC Pont-Viau is one of several centres operated by the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, which serves the regions of Laval, Laurentides and Lanaudière. According to the board, it provides preschool, elementary, secondary, adult education and vocational training services to more than 14,000 students across its network.
