Message from Jean-Luc Trahan, chairman of the CPMT

Investissement-compétences: A profitable investment for all Quebeckers

In early February 2012, the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT) launched a skills investment initiative called “Investissement-compétences” in the presence of Premier Jean Charest, Julie Boulet, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, and labour market partners. Investissement-compétences flows from a rethinking undertaken by the members of the CPMT, in collaboration with Emploi-Québec, aimed at finding a tangible, adapted solution for tackling Québec’s current challenges in the area of ongoing training.

In a context of looming labour shortages, our collective prosperity depends more than ever on increasing the employment rate and developing workers’ skills.

All too often, despite extensive progress in the areas of productivity and training, amounts devoted to skills development are considered as expenses. To create an enduring culture of ongoing training in the workplace, we need to change this view of skills development, so that training costs are seen as investments.

With this in mind, one of the key components of Investissement-compétences consists in a mechanism for boosting employers’ and employees’ commitment to ongoing training. Businesses that integrate training into their values and practices receive Investissement-compétences recognition, in the form of a certificate from the CPMT confirming their commitment.

Investissement-compétences offers an integrated array of consulting services and financial support measures designed to make training accessible, efficient and profitable for employers and their personnel. In the areas of human capital management and training activities, it provides support for businesses endeavouring to develop their employees’ skills.

I am firmly convinced that thanks to this unprecedented initiative by the Québec government and all labour market partners, Investissement-compétences will spark a growing commitment to ongoing training.

Jean-Luc Trahan, Chairman
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail