The Cégep de Jonquière received a visit on Tuesday from the President and CEO of the Fédération des Cégeps, Bernard Tremblay.
His visit aimed, among other things, to learn about various issues affecting the Cégeps de Jonquière and the Collège d’Alma.
One of the priorities is to find solutions to encourage young people to continue their studies to obtain a college or university degree or to complete vocational or technical training.
According to current statistics, 30% of young people do not continue their studies after graduating from high school.
The current labor shortage is exacerbating this problem. Young people have access to a wide range of jobs. This makes it easier to make money quickly.
However, university members would like to point out the importance of obtaining a university degree. The President and CEO of the Fédération des cégeps, Bernard Tremblay, emphasizes that in the future 90% of jobs will require vocational training.
“We have experienced economic crises and each time the studies are clear. People without a college degree and therefore without a college or university degree run the risk of losing their jobs and finding themselves in a difficult economic situation,” recalls Bernard Tremblay.
Raising awareness will be part of the measures implemented for 2023 and 2024.
“There may be a temptation to enter the job market straight away, but if we think in the longer term, a university degree will allow us to venture into other types of jobs, perhaps getting a better salary,” emphasized the general director of Cégep de Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault.
Another big topic is housing. Although CEGEP students in the region have managed to find accommodation for the current session, the need remains great.
The student community is growing. This year there are more than 3,000 at the Cégep de Jonquière, an increase of around 200 registrations this year. 13 to 14% of them come from abroad and need housing.
The Cégep de Jonquière therefore aims to create between 175 and 200 residential units over the next three years and also to hold discussions with private developers for various projects. The aim is to predict longer term needs to ensure we have the right solutions.
The challenge is even greater at Alma College, where there is currently no student housing. Fortunately, all young people have found accommodation and CEGEP is supporting them.
At some point, the student community will be able to expect a new 40-door dormitory. The plans and specifications for this project have been submitted to the Ministry of Education.