Measures aimed at counteracting the effects of labour scarcity in the construction industry...
The board of directors of the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) has adopted proposals for regulatory amendments to counteract the effects of labour scarcity on construction sites :
- Règlement modifiant le Règlement sur la délivrance des certificats de compétence (in French only)
- Règlement modifiant le Règlement sur la formation professionnelle de la main-d’œuvre de l’industrie de la construction (in French only)
The problem of labour scarcity in the construction industry has been documented. The CCQ has published a study on the subject, conducted surveys among its clients, and made available a regulatory impact analysis, as required by the Government of Québec.
The consultations concerning these draft regulations have ended. The comments received are now being analyzed, and the government will announce its decision about when they will come into effect. Visit ccq.org regularly to find out more about this subject.
Measures to increase worker availability
The measures are aimed at facilitating access to the industry, integrating workers on a long-term basis, and encouraging job retention.
No compromise regarding skills and qualification
The proposed measures do not change any principles established in Act R-20 with regard to qualification:
- It remains necessary to hold a valid competency certificate to work on a construction site.
- The path favoured for entering the industry is to hold a diploma.
- Apprentices must complete the required apprenticeship before taking the qualification examination, which they must pass to accede to the status of journeyperson .
- Apprentices must be supervised by a journeyperson.
Evaluation of measures to allow for adjustments as needed
The board of directors of the CCQ decided that the measures will be subject to evaluation within 24 months after they come into effect, using a methodology that will be approved in advance. Therefore, all the effects and impacts of these changes will be carefully studied and the amendments may be adjusted as needed.
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Recognizing experience acquired outside of construction for joining the industry
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Permitting people to work on site while studying
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Fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs
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Facilitating entry of individuals with diplomas in certain specialized occupations
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Accelerate access to the status of journeyperson for graduates
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Accelerate obtaining the status of journeyperson for all apprentices
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Permission to hire a greater number of apprentices
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Generate greater versatility on construction sites
The aim of this measure is to allow the issuance of an apprentice competency certificate to any individual who submits an application for recognition of relevant professional experience.
The application must present a number of hours of work in tasks related to the trade, performed in a context not falling under Act R-20, equivalent to 35% of the duration of the apprenticeship.
The objective is to encourage the entry of experienced individuals.
The trade of crane operator is excluded from this measure.
This measure aims to enhance initial training programs leading to a construction trade through practical experience, by permitting the issuance of an apprentice competency certificate to individuals registered in these programs.
The objective is to broaden vocational or technical training programs through work-study programs, which have the effect of encouraging better integration into construction sites for the students in these programs. These students also become available to work during peak periods.
The trade of crane operator is excluded from this measure.
It is proposed to allow each employer to obtain two exemptions from holding a competency certificate for employer’s child, instead of only one.
The objective is to increase the number of children of employers working on construction sites.
This measure aims to allow the issuance of an occupation competency certificate for graduates of programs leading to the following occupations:
- Surveyor
- Blaster-driller
- Diver
These graduates no longer have to comply with the practice of access through the Cours de connaissance générale de l’industrie de la construction and the random draw.
For each journeyperson on the job, this measure would allow the on-site supervision of two apprentices rather than only one, which offers companies the opportunity to hire more apprentices and, ultimately, to expand the pool of journeypersons. In this case, one of the apprentices must be in his or her last apprenticeship period.
Trades involving a single apprenticeship period and the trade of crane operator are excluded from this measure.
This measure aims to allow apprentices to perform ancillary tasks for which they received training in their vocational training program. This involves tasks related to the apprentice’s trade only.
In this way, the number of workers required to perform tasks on construction sites does not have to be increased. This measure is particularly useful on small and medium-size sites.
In addition, other workers – labourers and journeypersons – will be able to continue to perform all ancillary tasks, without regard for the trade to which they are attached.