Construction students in areas where Quebec wants to offer new express training fear that the quality of work on our sites will deteriorate if industrial workers are less trained than before.
• Also read: Construction recruiting drive: Accelerated training at $750 per week
• Also read: “Can I expect consistent quality?”: Accelerated construction training raises questions
• Also read: “Money in butter”: Refrigeration experts express doubts about accelerated training in the construction industry
“It’s a bad idea. They’ll do the same work as us and spend fewer hours in school. It worries me a little,” lamented Luka Lapointe-White, 21, a sheet metalsmith student at the Montreal School of Construction Trades (EMCM).
The man told the Journal that he loves his school and the training he started three months ago, but when asked what he thought of the new crash course, he replied that the topic was on everyone’s lips during the break. His plumbing course.
“I understand that there is a shortage of workers in the industry, so it is good that they are coming, but from a job and expertise perspective it is not a good idea,” he added.
A headbutt?
Our parliamentary office announced on Monday that Prime Minister François Legault would like to offer four new fast-track training courses in carpentry, construction equipment operation, plumbing and refrigeration.
As Quebec ramps up its advertising campaigns to attract Quebecers to well-paying job training, the introduction of these new expressways could send the wrong message to the younger generation who have already made the leap.
Luka Lapointe-White is really enjoying his journey at the Montreal School of Construction Trades (EMCM). Photo Francis Halin
A few meters away, 18-year-old Nathan Simoneau, who is training to be a carpenter, has the impression that Quebec’s decision was made somewhat hastily.
“Instead of doing this on a whim, they should really look into it and study the issue,” commented the man, who started his courses just under two months ago.
“Cannibalize training”
On Monday, many students met by Le Journal agreed with the money put on the table but were less enthusiastic about the idea of shortening training to help employers bring workers on board more quickly.
Nathan Simoneau, 18, is studying carpentry. Photo Francis Halin
“Pay, okay, but don’t pay and take away hours [de formation]» summarized Nathan Simoneau, who believes that Quebec should think twice before introducing new training.
For Alexandre Ricard, president of the local 9 carpenters affiliated to the FTQ, there is indeed a risk of damaging the current professional diploma.
“We will cannibalize vocational training because we will get a different offer by funding it in a way that is not entirely clear,” he sighed.
“We achieve the competence and also the quality of the work on the construction sites,” he concluded.
– In collaboration with Mathieu Boulay
Can you share information about this story?
Write to us or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.