Background Information

Academic & Vocational Education in Quebec

The education system and its structures have undergone tremendous change in the past two years. Structurally we have moved from boards founded on religious lines to boards founded on linguistic lines. Territories have diminished or grown, boards have been amalgamated. Boards offering English language education now number nine, down from 18. In the Outaouais region Western Quebec is one of five school boards. The only English board in region 07 and 08, Western Quebec serves approximately 20 per cent of the population in the area. In addition to the structural changes, and within the same time frame, the ministerial plan of action for the Reform of the Education System has also targeted educational services for young children, curriculum reform, school and centre autonomy, adult and vocational and education. The inclusion of vocational and adult education in the Ministry's plan of action represents a continued recognition of the validity and importance of these two sectors. The ministry's focus in vocational and adult education centres primarily on program quality, accessibility and awareness.

Developments in adult and vocational education in Quebec have been marked by specific events. In addition to their initial impact, these events have, over time, substantially changed the way in which adult and vocational education services are implemented, organized and funded.

Adult education was established in Quebec at the end of the 19th century but its practices were not institutionalized until the 1960s. Until then, continuing education was offered largely through the Church. Its primary focus was industrial and rural development.

In the early sixties the Church relinquished its claim to the education system and turned it over to the state. In 1964 the Ministry of Education was created and soon after the Direction generale de l'education permanente. This became the Direction generale des adultes in 1973.

The official legal framework for the adult education sector was put in place in the period between 1980 and today. In 1980, the Commission d'etude sur la formation des adultes was given the mandate to study vocational education and socio-cultural education at the secondary, college and university levels. The Commission also examined the division of responsibilities among ministries and establishments.

Following the Commission's report the government published Continuing Education Program: Policy Statement and Plan of Action in 1984. This document formed the cornerstone of further activities on adult education.

The Policy Statement and Plan of Action established priority for programs that lead to specific qualifications, therefore fixing the educational mandate relative to manpower requirements.

In 1988, adult education programs offered by school boards were awarded official recognition. The Education Act was amended to give school boards responsibility for both adult and youth sector education. In 1990, the Ministere de l'Education merged adult and youth sector vocational education services and in 1994, the adult education curriculum was consolidated when basic school regulations were implemented for the general and vocational education sectors.

The Basic school regulation respecting educational services for adults in general education was ratified by the Conseil des ministres on May 18, 1994, and came into effect on July 1 of that same year. The adoption of this regulation recognized, in a concrete way, an adult's right to education. It authorized school boards to offer services deigned to meet the needs of the adult population; orientation, francization, literacy, social integration, sociovocational integration, presecondary education, Secondary Cycle One and Two education, vocational education preparation and postsecondary education preparation.

Adult general education is now under the umbrella of the Direction de la formation generale des adultes, which, like the Direction de la formation generale des jeunes, is the responsibility of the deputy minister. The programs of study, certification of studies and development are in harmony with those of the youth sector.

Vocational education is governed by the Basic school regulation respecting educational services for adults in vocational education. Its programs are designed to provide graduates with the necessary skills to succeed in the labour market. Programs lead to Diplomas of Vocational Studies (DVS), Attestations of Vocational Specialization (AVS) and the Vocational Education Certificate (VEC).

In 1997, as part of the educational reform , the government introduced amendments to the Education Act in Bill 180, which granted greater freedom to vocational training and adult education centres. It also provided for the establishment of governing boards to better reflect the composition of the local and social communities in which the adult and vocational education centres are located.

Who is authorized to offer adult education?

Five types of establishments are authorized to offer services to adults at the secondary level. These establishments are part of two types of networks: the official network of adult education services governed by the Basic school regulation and the unofficial network that meets ministry requirements but is not bound by all the provisions of the regulation.

Official network

• School Boards
• Private institutions governed by the Act

Unofficial network

• Community-based education groups
• Community-based literacy groups Private establishments not governed by the Education Act (companies, language schools)

Today, all English school boards in Quebec provide educational services to adults. In addition, there are several private establishments governed by the Education Act. There are more than 900 community-based education groups and 130 community-based literacy groups.

Who is authorized to offer vocational education?

The network of school boards is authorized to offer vocational education programs. All nine English boards offer vocational education, although Eastern Shores does so through agreements with other boards. The Commission Scolaire de Montreal is authorized to offer English language programs in the fields of construction and aerospace.

Who Qualifies for Service

Western Quebec is the third largest english-language service providing general adult education programs in the province and the largest off the island of Montreal. We offer literacy, sociovocational integration, francization, secondary education and prerequisites for CEGEP.

General education services are offered at all our centres, with Hull Adult Education Centre being the largest. Pontiac Centre, located in Shawville, Western Quebec Career Centre, Aylmer, Val d'or, Maniwaki and Buckingham are the other service points.

Vocational Education

Western Quebec ranks fifth in offering vocational education, with all centres except Val d'or (slated for 2001-2002) offering vocational programs. The Western Quebec Career Centre is the major vocational centre.

Who is the adult education student?

In Quebec, anyone between 6 and 16 years of age must be educated in the youth sector; anyone between 16 and 18 years of age may be educated in either the youth or adult sector. Adults 18 years and over who wish to attend school have access only to the adult sector. Adults with special needs, such as physically or intellectually handicapped students or students with learning difficulties, have access to both adult education services and support and student services. These services are affected by current budgetary restrictions.

Who is the vocational education student?

The vocational education student is anyone 16 years and older as of September 30 of the year in which the program is offered. Enrollment in vocational education programs in English language instruction has grown from 4,400 in 1991-92 to almost 6,400 in 1996-97. More than 80 % of those enrolled were over the age of 20.

Vocational Education in English Language school boards is:

• 49 programs leading to an Diploma of Vocational Studies
• 15 programs leading to an Attestation of Vocational Specialization
• 6,355 enrollments in 1996-97, of whom 1,161 were under 20 years old
• 8.75 % of vocational education enrollments in Quebec
• 18.25 % of students under 20 years old, compared to 33% province wide