Moncton 
Thales Group, a global technology company with headquarters in France, is establishing its National Digital Excellence Centre (NDEC) in Fredericton.
Credit: Opportunities NB
The centre will be the first of its kind in Canada and represents a multi-stakeholder research and talent development hub.
Thales Group is a technology giant that specializes in three sectors: defence and security, aeronautics and space, as well as digital identity and security. The company prioritizes research and development in various fields such as quantum technologies, cybersecurity, Far Edge computing, and 6G.
The company is investing in the development of the centre, which will also house its North American Cyber Security Operations Centre. Per the news release, the facility will eventually employ over 110 highly skilled workers.
Opportunities NB, a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province is investing up to $5.5 million over five years to support the development of the centre. The federal government also supports the centre through two projects, with contributions of over $1.8 million to the University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute and over $1.2 million to Ignite.
The McKenna Institute will develop new cybersecurity and digital resilience programs to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and educational programming, while Ignite will design and establish the NDEC Canada facility as a place for small business, academia, and the region at large to collaborate and develop skills and partnerships.
Opportunities NB estimates that the facility will contribute up to $63 million in direct provincial GDP over a five-year period.
The company intends to start hiring shortly, and information on job opportunities will be available on the company’s website.
