How do I choose an occupation?
You can get help from the guidance or career counsellor or from an educational and vocational information counsellor at your secondary school. Some school boards also have referral centres or people designated to help students make choices.
You can also take interest tests to figure out which occupations best suit your personality
Go ahead! Do the test (URL non disponible) on this site or go to our section Othre related websites
Is vocational training expensive?
Training is free! However, there may be student service charges, and fees for materials vary from program to program.
When can I enroll?
Programs begin at various times throughout the year. Some pro¬grams leading to a DVS are also offered in the evenings. Contact the centre offering the program that interests you.
Where can I get the documents required for registration?
Birth certificate: If you were born in Québec, contact the Di¬recteur de l’état civil du Québec (registrar of civil status). You can download the form at www.etatcivil.gouv.qc.ca/, and send it in by regular mail. It costs $15.
Statement of marks: Contact your school’s office or go to the re¬gional office of the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, at 600 Fullum Street, 10th floor, Montréal.
Am I eligible for loans and bursaries?
You may qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program if:
•
You are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
•
You are a Québec resident or are deemed a Québec resident
at the time of your application
•
You have been or will be admitted to a recognized educational institution
•
You are pursuing full-time studies in a recognized program
•
You have not exceeded the maximum number of months of study for which financial assistance may be granted, and
•
You have not reached the debt limit established for your level of education, type of degree or program.
If you meet all these criterias and you do not have sufficient finan¬cial resources to pursue your studies, then you may be eligible for the Loans and Bursaries Program. To find out more, consult ‘’Loans and Bursaries program’’ on this website.
Who can help me understand the loans and bursaries system?
Contact your school board’s financial assistance office. You can also visit the student financial assistant Web site of the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec, at www.afe.gouv.qc.ca. It should provide all the answers to your questions.
What is the deadline to apply for a loan or bursary?
Because vocational training programs begin at various times throughout the year, there is no specific application deadline for vocational training students. Althought it is recommended to apply within 45 days of the date of admission to a vocational training program, students have up to 60 days to submit their application after the last month of study for the award year in question.
How long does the training last?
Most programs are offered on a continual basis and last from 6 to 20 months, with an average of 30 hours per week. There are two breaks during the year: one between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and another short break in the summer. The length of the summer break varies according to the vocational training centre.
Will what I learn in a vocational training program meet employers’ needs?
Yes. All programs have been developed in collaboration with people from the business community. The majority of teachers maintain close ties with these businesses. Moreover, vocational training programs allow students to develop the essential skills and qualities that today’s employers expect. These qualities include a sense of responsibility, respect for oneself and others, initiative, problem solving and the ability to work in a team.
Once I get my diploma, who will help me find a job?
Some vocational training centres offer job placement services. Many will help you write a résumé and cover letter, contact companies, go through the list of job openings and give tips on calling potential employers (e.g. how to sell yourself).
Are there jobs out there for vocational training graduates? More and more employers are hiring vocational training graduates. They especially want qualified workers who already have the knowledge and skills to perform a wide range of tasks. Emploi-Québec estimates that 85% of graduates with a DVS or AVS work full time in their field once their studies completed. In fact, the unemployment rate has decreased steadily since 2005 for those who have such diplomas. To learn more, click here
Does the training provided meet the requirements of the workplace?
Absolutely. A total of 96% of all vocational training programs follow a competency-based approach and were designed with the help of different representatives from business and industry. The programs are adapted so that, by the end of their training, graduates have the basic job skills to work in their future employment sectors.
How much does vocational training cost?
Vocational training is subsidized by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport of Québec. Some institutions, however, may require students to pay for service fees or other fees tied to specific programs. Also, students must pay for any documents or instructional material that they are allowed to keep (e.g. tools and uniforms).
Can adults have their work experience recognized when they enroll in vocational training?
Yes, they can. There's a specific procedure for recognizing prior learning. It is designed to evaluate and formally certify the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that people have acquired outside school or vocational training centres, including job experience. Contact your school board to find out how to apply for this type of certification. This procedure will also help you find out what you need to complete your training. To learn more, go to our section Recognition of prior learning
Can I continue studying after obtaining a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)?
Yes, you can. Some DVS graduates can specialize in their field of study and obtain an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS). To learn ifyour field of interest offers such a diploma, go to www2.inforoutefpt.org.
Certain programs also facilitate the transition between secondary-level vocational training and college-level technical training and allow students to obtain a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) faster than they normally would by following a regular path. For more information, go toAlternatives in VT
