Quebec is giving it another boost to help solve the problems of recruiting workers, this time in information technologies. The Minister of Labor and Employment, Jean Boulet, announced Monday in Montreal the granting of an additional sum of 151.5 million for three measures aimed at attracting 50,000 people in information technologies, in coming years.
“There are several factors that explain the acceleration of information technology needs: teleworking, e-commerce, the inevitability of increasing productivity – and that goes through automation, digitization, artificial intelligence, robotization, the digital shift. For me, these are the key factors that explain the exacerbation of needs in this sector, ”explained Minister Boulet.
The three measures are aimed at training, retraining workers or supporting businesses.
One of these measures comes from the COUD program – for short duration – which allows work-study work. Quebec is spending $ 31.5 million on this. The beneficiary of the COUD program works for three days and studies during the other two days. He is paid during his training and can earn $ 25 an hour. They are “collective promoters” who form business combinations and launch training in “priority” sectors because there are significant manpower needs, such as information technologies.
Another measure, with a budget of 60 million, helps companies who want to offer training to their workers, recruit abroad or improve their practices to make them more compatible with their IT needs.
Another, called PRATIC – Program for requalification and support in information and communications technologies – has an additional budget of 60 million. Thus, the unemployed person will be able to receive a requalification allowance of $ 650 per week if he meets the requirements.
“We support them in a requalification process, either at college or university level. Transportation, custody and basic living expenses are covered. It allows for qualifying training, ”said Minister Boulet. These are training in robotics, cybersecurity, electromechanical engineering, video games, programming, artificial intelligence, geomatics, listed the minister. After the training, the person receives a sum of $ 1950, which is the equivalent of three weeks of allowances.
Quebec hopes to contribute in this way to the requalification of 10,000 people by 2025-2026.
People on social assistance can benefit from these programs if they meet the criteria. “No one is left behind,” said the minister.