Careers of the future requiring vocational or technical training
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 | WHERE TO START |
| TRAINING BRIDGES |
| SIMULTANEOUS CERTIFICATION STUDY OPPORTUNITIES |
| WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS |
| ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED |
The best way to find out about training is to look by career. Consult the pages by region or by major trade group. You will find on each page information on the names of the programs, the regions where you can find the required training, the time it will take and what you have to do to practice such a career.
Vocational and technical training bridges
A new training reorientation provision now makes it easier for vocational training graduates to pursue a higher education. Following certain conditions designed to foster success, students can now enroll in a designated DVS (Diploma of Vocational Studies) program even if they don’t have their DES (Diploma of Secondary Studies).
Because these bridges recognize acquired skills, vocational training graduates can shave a whole year off their Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) studies by pursuing a technical training program in a continuing education framework that doesn’t require them to have to do the courses over again
These bridges also provide better links between college level technical studies and university study programs thanks to effective coordination mechanisms that foster the success of students and track their educational development at each learning institution.
Since 1996-1997, students who have completed their 3 basic courses in Secondary 3 can enroll in a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) program, even if they don’t meet the DVS admission criteria.
This simultaneous certification approach allows students to pursue the general Secondary 4 or 5 education they need to obtain their DVS while pursuing their vocational training…instead of having to wait until they’ve finished secondary school!
Students enrolled in a vocational training program can also simultaneously acquire the general education credits they need to obtain their Diploma of Secondary Studies (DES) or DVS.
Yet another example of the lengths that are being taken to encourage young people to enroll in training for skilled trades!
Work-study programs: alternating between school and the workplace
Work-study programs offer an option that allows students to complete at least two practical training sessions in the workplace while continuing their secondary vocational training or college technical training.
Add to that the fact that educational institutions in all regions of Québec can help you look for a practical training program or even find one!
There is a steady increase in work-study programs in both vocational training and technical training. Every year more and more study programs are available under the work-study approach in more and more educational institutions, and more and more students are participating.
If you’re interested in this option or would like to learn more about its advantages or how these work-study programs work, don’t hesitate to visit www.inforoutefpt.org/ate or inquire at the educational institution nearest you.
Entrepreneurial values
People don’t just choose a career and the education which leads to it; they also choose the work environment where they make use of their skills. And now, more than ever, today’s workers are being called upon to put their entrepreneurial skills to profit as well.
We all benefit from entrepreneurial values, but these values are all the more important to people in vocational or technical trades because these individuals work in an environment where they can showcase their skills. Such values include managing the unexpected (autonomy, sense of initiative, adaptability, self-control), customer service (ability to process information and react positively) and good communication (creative problem-solving, people skills, technical know-how).
Paving the way to entrepreneurship
How can students see themselves as entrepreneurs when the education they’ve chosen to pursue doesn’t seem to lend itself to this?
There are times when they have to make their own way, chart their own course, and find opportunities that will pave the way to entrepreneurship.
There are also times when an entrepreneurial way of life can be more within reach.
With the help of career orientation in vocational and technical trades, a first career choice can become a stepping stone to career opportunities that provide more entrepreneurial development (that can be used in various fields, regions, applications or roles such as that of a foreman, self-employed person, or entrepreneur).
Intrapreneurship
Vocational and technical trades are also perfect for what is now referred to as “intrapreneurship”, a type of work organization where employees perform their jobs in an entrepreneurial spirit. Organizations that use this approach outline their development issues and objectives to their employees, delegate responsibilities to them, and get them involved in day-to-day operations.
There’s no question that vocational and technical trades provide highly motivating, integrated work environments and pave the way for exciting career development opportunities.
Government assistance
The Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) has developed a number of initiatives and programs aimed at helping young Québecers who want to start their own business.
These include “Lancement d’une enterprise” (ASP); a short program entitled “Running my new business efficiently”, which allows participants to learn every aspect of entrepreneurship; “Quinze heures de sensibilisation à l’entrepreneuriat à l’intention des élèves de la formation professionnelle et technique”, a Mesure de sensibilisation à l’entrepreneuriat initiative from the MELS; and “Développer et vivre une culture entrepreneuriale en formation professionnelle”.
For further information on government initiatives in entrepreneurship, visit www.inforoutefpt.org/entrepreneuriat
According to the most recent projections issued by Emploi-Québec, thousands of employment opportunities requiring vocational or technical training will become available in the coming years in Québec. People with disability should be able to take advantage of such opportunities.
In fact, having a disability must not prevent students from choosing a career through vocational or technical training. They should trust nothing less than their interests and capabilities. Career counsellors and the people who know the students best (parents, teachers, friends) can help guide them in their career choices.
Their abilities – not their disabilities – must be at the heart of their decisions. One must forget all preconceived notions that it is impossible for disabled people to practice a trade. Several careers are perfectly suited to disabled people. There are blind insurance agents and receptionist-secretaries. There are deaf print machine operators, bakers and plastics production workers. People in wheelchairs work as aeronautic assemblers and customs procedures technicians. In using the questionnaires to help explore the trades outlined on this site, they may discover vocational and technical career opportunities that had never occurred to them.
Is there need for a sign language interpreter? Documents in braille? Adapted computer equipment? There are professional resources and financial aid programs that can meet special needs. Disabled students can qualify for the Programme d’allocation pour les besoins particuliers offered by Aide financière aux études or for the Services d’aide aux étudiants handicapés, available through public Cegeps and colleges in Québec.
For complete information on these programs and services, as well as on all resources offered to students with disabilities, consult the online brochure Pour des études sans limites!, produced by the CAMO for disabled people and available at www.camo.qc.ca/formation/etudesans.php
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2010