Several participants in a job retraining program that the government has spent nearly $250 million on have still not found jobs several months after completing their training.
“We were promised so much good news… but I did a survey in my class: only three people found a job,” laments Stéphanie Richard, a graphic design graduate since July 2022.
After several years working as a daycare teacher, the young woman wanted to reorient herself in 2021 and discovered the PRATIC program, which was to train her in a year in a highly sought-after field: information technology, information and communication.
Ms. Richard receives a weekly allowance of $650 and a graduation bonus of $1,950. She works hard and will graduate in July 2022.
Graduates say too many applicants
“I’ve been trying to find a job every day, but there are so many people applying that companies choose seniors,” the young graduate regrets.
According to her and several of her classmates with whom Le Journal spoke, there are no opportunities in this sector.
“There are too many candidates, there are simply no vacancies,” comments Gabrielle, a graduate of the same year. You talk about a labor shortage, but I don’t know where it is!”
Same disappointment for Dominic Gagne. He also says there are many applications in this field: 204 candidates in two days for the last position he consulted.
In addition, employers would need specialized skills that the degree would not have provided.
Still no accountability
Nearly 8,000 Quebecers have already participated in the Information and Communications Technology Retraining and Assistance (PRATIC) program.
By the end of January, the government had committed nearly $250 million in public funding to the initiative, which started in 2021.
When asked about the professional integration of graduates, the Ministry of Labor was unable to provide the journal with any data.
After insistence from the minister’s spokesman, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, the ministry’s communications service finally pledged to provide an account “as soon as the data is available.” [seront] compiled, during the year 2023-2024”, but without providing intermediate indicators.
Significant efficiency measures
“As with any expenditure of public money, government must be transparent,” recalls Michel Séguin, professor of ethics at UQAM.
For Sylvie St-Onge, professor at HEC Montreal, “we have no choice but to rely on indicators to ensure the effectiveness of an action.”
Some key indicators could already be implemented to improve ongoing programs, says the expert. In particular, she cites tracking graduate satisfaction and a regular reminder to find out if they have a job.
Recall that last September, Le Journal revealed that the ministry could not confirm the effectiveness of its other retraining program: the Recovery Assistance through Education Augmentation Program (PARAF).
Lasalle College, where Ms. Richard and her colleagues studied, agrees the need for graphic design is enormous, which is why Services Québec is funding the program.
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