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The objective of this study is to observe and document the transfer of a train the trainers program in knife sharpening and steeling. This knowledge transfer involved two groups of researchers: the experts and the learners. These groups are from geographically dispersed regions and evolve in distinct contexts by their language and culture.

The paper favors the learning history (LH) technique, a methodology that enabled the different participants to share their experience through reiterate interviews.

Based on the dynamic knowledge transfer capacity model, the absorptive capacity of the train the trainers process appears to have been mobilized. Although there were a number of hitches, people are confident that the project will be successful and that they will put what they have learned to good use in upcoming phases to transfer this program to other organizations.

The conclusions apply solely to a context of interprovincial transfer of a train the trainers program. It is believed that it is important to complete the first‐phase interviews “before” project start‐up. Being unilingual may have prevented some individuals from participating fully when asked to react to the summary documents.

The model is explicit enough to encompass the overall dimensions required to understand the dynamics of knowledge transfer. In a short and geographically dispersed context it was found that adjustments to the methodology were necessary, there was a wealth of data and that LH has fostered necessary adjustments that in turn have mobilized the actors.

Claude Blanchet was the first Director General of the Société de développement des coopératives du Québec (Cooperative Development Corporation), founding President of the FTQ's Fonds de solidarité (Quebec Federation of Labour Solidarity Fund) and Chief Executive Officer of the SGF (Société générale de financement du Québec, or General Investment Corporation of Québec). His lifelong passion has been to support the development of Québec, and he describes himself as being primarily a “builder of collective firms.” The purpose of this paper is to describe the life of a man who was exposed to an entrepreneurial culture from early childhood.

The paper takes the form of a case study – interview with the intrapreneur.

The paper shows that Claude Blanchet's values changed significantly as a result of his involvement in social movements. His goal became to build a modern Québec state. One of the elements characterizing his entire career is undoubtedly his courage in choosing to take unusual paths. This desire to explore and conquer new spaces is shared by most entrepreneurial actors. However, Claude Blanchet did it for reasons related to the development of Québec society.

One of the notable features of this case is the unusual career path taken by Claude Blanchet.