Working together so that Québec can stand out in the full employment era

2018-2023 National Workforce Strategy

QUÉBEC CITY, May 22, 2018 – The Government of Québec unveiled the first 2018-2023 National Workforce Strategy, which will invest over $1.3 billion. Its two main objectives are to ensure that more people are employed and to create a conducive environment for developing the skills required to rapidly transform Québec’s economy.

The Strategy comprises 47 measures—some new and some improved—that will be supported by 11 government organizations and ministries. They focus on the following four broad guidelines:

• Have a better understanding of current and future workforce needs and disseminate this information ($77.9 million)
• Have enough workers ($802 million, including $324.1 million to improve the attraction, selection and integration of immigrants into the workforce)
• Improve flexibility and agility in skills development ($394.7 million)
• Adapt workplaces ($63.1 million)

The Strategy was developed through a cooperative approach with all the relevant government stakeholders and workforce partners. This mainly took place during the national workforce meeting in February 2017 on regional consultations held in 2016 and 2017, as well as on discussions with the steering and monitoring committee, composed of leaders of employer associations and unions. Thus, the groundwork was laid for a national strategy based on the various regional realities.

Quotes:

Since 2014, businesses have created more jobs in Québec than anywhere else in Canada. The unemployment rate is at its lowest in 40 years. Our greatest challenge has become the shortage of labour. To continue along the path to prosperity, we have to ensure that the thousands of jobs available today and in the next years are filled. To meet this challenge, we need to better align training with our businesses’ needs, retain older workers, accelerate process automation, and focus on immigration. To build a new Québec that lives up to our ambitions—ever more prosperous, educated, fair, green and mobile—we need all kinds of talent.

– Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec

Over the past few decades, Québec has gone from having an abundant labour supply to having a multitude of vacant jobs that could meet the aspirations of all Québec workers. Today, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that everyone can benefit from this favourable situation. This strategy will also support businesses and promote economic and social development in all regions. I thank all the national and regional partners who have helped develop the Strategy during the many consultations held over the past two years.

– François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity

Key points

• Québec is in a favourable situation, with an unemployment rate of 5.4% in April 2018 and strong job creation. Nearly 225,000 jobs have been created since the government took office, a large proportion of which are full-time jobs in the private sector.
• Within 10 years, more than half of the jobs to be filled will be largely held by people aged 35 years and under. Several measures aim to help integrate young people into the workforce.
• Every year, the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity will release a follow-up report on the actions included in the Strategy.

Related links:

• 2018-2023 National Workforce Strategy (in French only)
• Fact sheet (in French only)