Hire a Construction Apprentice in Quebec

Hiring an apprentice in the construction industry in Quebec is a strategic move for companies looking to develop their skilled workforce while contributing to the training of the next generation of workers.

This process is governed by specific rules established by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) and offers various benefits for both the employer and the apprentice.

Before launching a broad search, check the available workers and apprentices according to your project needs.

Understanding the Apprenticeship System in Quebec's Construction Industry

What is an Apprentice?

An apprentice is a person admitted to the apprenticeship of a trade that spans one to five apprenticeship periods of 2,000 hours each, depending on the trade in question.

The apprentice works under the supervision of a journeyperson while acquiring the necessary skills to eventually become a journeyperson themselves.

Types of Certificates in the Construction Industry

In Quebec's construction industry, there are three main classes of certificates:

• Apprentice Certificate: For a person in the process of learning a trade
• Journeyperson Certificate: For a person who has demonstrated their qualification in one of the 26 recognized trades and passed the qualification exam
• Occupation Certificate: For a person performing construction activities on sites as a labourer or specialized labourer

Prerequisites for Hiring an Apprentice

Employer Requirements

To hire an apprentice, you must:

• Be a registered and recognized company in the construction industry (Verification via the CCQ)
• Have a qualified journeyperson available to supervise the apprentice (in most cases)
• Provide a 150-hour employment guarantee over three months to the apprentice
• Commit to offering adequate training

Eligible Apprentice Profile

The apprentice you wish to hire must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a social insurance number
• Have completed the "Health and Safety on Construction Sites" course (ASP Construction)
• Meet the educational requirements according to the trade (generally a high school diploma or prerequisites of 3rd or 4th secondary level depending on the trade)
• Pay the $100 fee to the CCQ for obtaining the certificate

Apprentice Hiring Process

Step 1: Assess Your Needs and Capacity

Before hiring an apprentice, ensure that you:

• Have enough work to justify the hire
• Have the necessary financial resources
• Have a journeyperson available to supervise the apprentice
• Are ready to invest time in training

Step 2: Understand the Different Access Routes

There are several types of apprentice candidates that can be hired:

• Candidate graduated from a recognized study program
• Candidate entered according to the labour pool status

Step 3: Check the Labour Pool Status

The availability of labour pools influences hiring conditions:

• If the pool is less than 5% for a trade and a given region, access is facilitated with an employment guarantee
• If the pool is less than 30% for women, special conditions apply to facilitate their hiring

Step 4: Prepare the Necessary Documents

For hiring an apprentice, you will need to:

• Provide a 150-hour employment guarantee over three months
• Provide the required documents to the CCQ. ( https://www.ccq.org/En-tete/nous-joindre )

Financial Benefits and Assistance Programs

Companies that hire apprentices can benefit from grant programs:

• Canadian Apprenticeship Service Program offering up to $20,000 in grants
• $5,000 per level 1 apprentice per year, for a maximum of 2 apprentices per employer
• $10,000 per level 1 apprentice belonging to an underrepresented group