A majority of Quebecers are concerned that labor shortages are encouraging young people to work rather than finish college, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Quebec Network for Educational Success (RQRE).
Posted at 5:00 am
The director-general of the RQRE hears stories of young people who go to work during school hours, sometimes even with their parents’ permission.
Audrey Mckinnon is “reassured” by the results of a survey by Léger, which shows that seven out of ten Québecians are concerned that at a time when companies are actively recruiting, young people may be encouraged to to work instead of completing their studies.
A similar number (68%) state that the compatibility of work and study is an issue that occupies them.
PHOTO SYLVAIN LÉGARÉ PROVIDED BY RQRE
Audrey Mckinnon, Director General of RQRE
The challenge is the accumulation of commitments: 35 hours of school, 10 hours of work, we have reached 45 hours of commitment, and we spend free time, study and travel. It’s been a busy week.
Audrey McKinnon, executive director of the Quebec Network for Educational Success
The results of this survey appear at the start of Hooked on School Days, but also in a context where Labor Minister Jean Boulet announced his intention to legislate to regulate and limit child labour.
However, “one law will not solve everything,” says Audrey Mckinnon. It will need other solutions. We need to keep raising awareness. »
The survey, conducted by Léger, also shows that 29% of Quebecers believe that the main benefits of working part-time during the school year are to develop a sense of responsibility and autonomy in young people.
A matter of hours
Up to how many hours per week can a secondary school student work?
“Young people don’t all have the same skills. Some young people will be very successful in combining study and work, while others will find it very difficult. In general, studies show that at 3 p.m [par semaine]it’s difficult and at 8pm we get into critical areas for a lot of young people,” says Audrey Mckinnon.
In the bill Quebec is preparing, “the hour markers would be welcome,” adds the director-general of the RQRE.
About one in five Quebecers (19%) believe that the diploma has become less important since the end of the pandemic, and this perception is slightly higher among respondents aged 18-35 (22%).
“The 18 to 35-year-olds are on the way to or at the end of their school career. We are seeing more and more postponements or cancellations of study projects, we know that registrations for vocational training are declining. Is there a shadow on the board? asks Audrey McKinnon.
The Léger poll was conducted between November 24 and December 1, 2022 with a sample of 1,000 Quebecers aged 18 to 59.
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77% After five years of high school, graduation rate of the 2016 class
SOURCE: Ministry of Education
59% proportion of Quebecers who think a degree is just as important for a good job as it was before the pandemic
SOURCE: Léger survey conducted for the RQRE