Nearly 3,000 people have already responded to Prime Minister François Legault’s call by registering for accelerated construction training.
“We need more people in construction. Just this morning, there are already 2,800 who have registered,” Mr. Legault said during a brief press scrum on Tuesday at the National Assembly.
But it’s not enough, according to him. “We need to increase that,” he added.
The day before, Mr. Legault had declared that he wanted to make a “big move” in order to alleviate the labor shortage currently plaguing the construction industry.
He explained that the personnel needs are considerable due to the numerous current and future projects, whether for schools, roads, or even Hydro-Québec works.
From January, rapid and paid training will therefore be offered to access five trades: carpenter, excavator operator, heavy equipment operator, tinsmith and refrigeration engineer.
Interested people have until December 15 to register for these training courses, which lead to the attestation of professional studies (AEP) and whose duration will vary from four to six months (500 to 700 hours).
They will receive support of $750 per week.
Furthermore, those who enroll in comparable programs leading to a Professional Studies Diploma (DEP) could obtain a scholarship of $9,000 to $15,000 upon graduation.
As of January, the government will also increase the reception capacity of the DEP Electricity and the DEP Plumbing and Heating, where there are currently waiting lists.
Together, these measures represent an investment of $300 million. The government hopes to recruit 4,000 to 5,000 workers capable of working on construction sites from the summer of 2024.
The Legault government’s initiative was well received by the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ), in particular, while construction unions said they feared the shoddy work, in addition to seeing it as a potential health problem. and security.