This text is part of the special section Unionism
The Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) is calling into question the new professional study certificates (AEP), put in place by the present government, in four construction trades, namely carpenter, tinsmith, refrigeration engineer and refrigeration operator. mechanical excavators and heavy equipment.
“We are raising this question not to put obstacles in the way or to oppose the type of training that the AEP is since it already exists in professional training,” explains Benoît Giguère, vice-president of labor relations at the FAE. What worries us is the haste with which these four AEPs were launched. »
On the one hand, he notes, this haste did not allow for a deep analysis and reflection of the needs and then of the means to be implemented. Furthermore, deplores-
he said, an important stakeholder, namely the teachers of vocational training centers, was not fully involved.
“It seems that this is an order from the government to the ministry with the main objective being the possibility of offering short training from January in order to deliver to the worker market from June, therefore at the time when the construction is taking off,” emphasizes Benoît Giguère.
Less qualifying training
The government clears itself by emphasizing that there are already many new workers entering the construction field without any training, that is to say through the pool, and that new workers with an AEP will have at least some training. Indeed, in the case where a trade is in serious shortage, the Commission de la construction du Québec allows the granting of apprentice competency certificates (CCA) to applicants without training, what we call the “pool” . These apprentices are supported on the site by a journeyman.
The royal road to entering the field of construction, however, remains, according to Benoît Giguère, obtaining a diploma in professional studies (DEP) from a vocational training center of a school service center (CSS). “The training offered by the DEP is in-depth and rather complete,” he says. For example, for the profession of heavy equipment operator, the student will have had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the range of machinery. He will have the opportunity to learn the trade in conditions that reproduce those of a construction site. When he enters the job market with his apprentice certificate, he is ready to take on the tasks assigned to him. »
On the contrary, AEPs are shortened training courses. For example, the refrigeration program at the DEP requires 1,800 hours of training. In AEP, it falls to 645 hours. “With such a short training, we have the right to wonder if it will really be useful,” believes Benoît Giguère.
Finding sustainable solutions
The creation of these four new AEPs will first have an impact on the teaching staff. “In the case of a training module which is already undertaken by one of our teachers at the DEP, if this coincides, he will be able to integrate the students into the AEP,” explains Mr. Giguère. But in the majority of cases, it will be necessary to recruit new teachers. And where will we find them? Directly on construction sites. They will certainly arrive with detailed knowledge of their profession, but without any teaching experience. »
The arrival of AEPs also has an effect on CSSs. “To train a heavy equipment operator,” emphasizes Mr. Giguère, “you must first obtain the machines and have adequate land. »
Benoît Giguère notes the labor shortage in the construction field and admits that this requires finding solutions. “There are solutions within reach,” emphasizes
he says, but the government still needs to seriously consult those who work in the field of professional training. »
But the solution, according to him, essentially involves promoting professional training. “The government should set up a major campaign to raise awareness and promote vocational training, not only in schools, but also among parents and the general public. These are professions that we need and which lead to great careers. »
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