The labor shortage is a daily slap in the face for businesses that have been particularly hard hit since the pandemic. And this, in contexts of necessary digitization, valued ecological transition and job transformation.
Updated yesterday at 3:09 p.m.
Thus, the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, in collaboration with the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT), is unveiling an envelope of $46 million to support the upgrading of skills and the requalification of employees in transforming companies.
“We must support our businesses in a changing market,” said Minister Jean Boulet, at a conference on Monday. “They need support and help both in the success of these digital transitions and in adapting to new environmental realities. »
Thanks to the Ambition-Compétences program, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity estimates that this envelope will help to train 25,000 to 30,000 people within 15,000 to 20,000 organisations. “Our goal is to support 185 projects at an average cost of $250,000,” he calculated. This will ensure wages for training up to $25 per hour. The program provides for reimbursement of 85% of eligible expenses. »
“I have never seen a problem as generalized as the labor shortage, in all sectors and all regions of Quebec,” added Karl Blackburn, President and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec. .
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Karl Blackburn, President and CEO of the Quebec Employers Council
” The situation is serious. The competitiveness of our companies is affected. There are ways to improve the situation. And the program announced today responds to several of them. Upgrading skills is very important. This is one of the levers for preparing our economy for tomorrow. The program can breathe a wind of change into organizations. »
The projects, which must be submitted by associations of employers, workers and other Aboriginal organizations eligible by the CPMT, may concern both the robotization of a production line and the integration of artificial intelligence, e-commerce or the repair of electric vehicles. “This call for projects is also an opportunity for our businesses and employees to take up the productivity challenge,” said Jean Boulet. It will allow us to take a leap forward. »
At a press conference, the Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ) recalled that the employee should be at the center of business innovation and upgrades. That it shouldn’t be put on the shoulder. “To succeed, you have to trust yourself,” said Denis Bolduc, general secretary of the FTQ. “Workers will need to be open to change, and employers responsive to employee needs. The common objective must be that no worker loses his job. We want adequate protection. The challenge for companies is reskilling. Yes to the transition, but without a victim. »