Your Options

All the options below are dependent on what qualifications you have achieved. For more information on finding different schools in Quebec and Canada go to Information on Schools.

The options are:

1. Vocational Education.
2. University study or training.
3. Cegep/College.
4. Apprenticeship Program.
5. Voluntary or Community work.
6. World of Work.
7. Travel abroad.
8. Work abroad
9. Study abroad
10. Entrepreneur

Vocational Education

Vocational Education and training lead to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS). These qualifications can be taken at different centres in Quebec to give you a recognized qualification. However, if you are not able to attend a Vocational Centre students are able to earn a Vocational Diploma online for more information on e-learning go to: http://www.wqsb.qc.ca/elearning Or for more information on Vocational Training go to: http://www.inforoutefpt.org/home2.htm or you can look at the requirements you need by looking in Further Education.

The majority of students don’t have a clear path mapped out at age 16. only 17% of people complete a university degree whereas 37% do vocational related training and 69% undertake on the job training instead (statscan 2002).

So why all the hype and pressure about university? Many parents believe a university degree guarantees you a job. But they may not be aware of how many other choices are available to students today. Why not ask your parents to look at schools in Quebec and Further Education to obtain the requirements for University.

Today’s employment statistics reveal that most people change jobs at regular intervals, on average every two or three years, and they may also change careers three or four times over a life time.

All the provinces of Canada have their own college institutions that offer certificates, diploma and other training courses in a range of different vocations. You can take the courses full-time or part-time.

The colleges in Quebec are called Cegep. If you want to go onto university, in Quebec, Cegep would be the root to take. for more information go to: http://www.CEGEP.com 

This is a combination of training and work experience paired with gaining a recognized qualification. To find out more information go to http://www.red-seal.ca/english/index_e.shtml

This is a great way to gain skills, contribute to a worth while public service and/or gain an insight into the type of work that may suit you in the future. You can give as many or as few hours as you would like and usually the organization will pay your expenses.

With some undergraduate training programs i.e. teacher training do require applicants to have completed voluntary or paid work experience. To find a local voluntary work placement, contact http://www.volunteer.ca/index-eng.php or www.idealist.org/ . Also your school guidance counselor would be able to put you in touch with any agencies in the area for a work placement, books leaflets, web sites and organizations.

The transition form high school into the world of work is a big step. Usually every job requires some form of education. How often do your parents and teachers tell you to work hard at school and get your qualifications or you’ll regret it later?

The facts show that adults without qualifications have more difficulty in getting a job with prospects than people with qualifications. People with high level qualifications generally earn above average salaries, and can afford a better standard of living. However, sometimes qualifications don’t guarantee you a job – but research shows that learning usually pays off in the end. It might be hard to believe now but for once your parents and teachers are right! With nearly a million people looking for work right now, employers have a pool of people to choose from. If you were an employer wouldn’t you choose the candidate who can prove their suitability to the job through skills, qualifications and experience, rather than someone who has no qualifications or experience. That’s why, if do want to start work immediately after high school, it is vital you get a job that offers good quality training, so you can add to your qualifications and experience.

Gaining qualifications will give you more confidence in yourself, you know you’ve made the grade and can hold your own against the next person. So get qualified and get the FEEL GOOD FACTOR.

Many students wish to take a year or more off after graduation to travel and visit other countries. Students often ask whether this period of travel time will harm their prospects of finding training opportunities e.g. vocational education, college, university or apprenticeship training. In many training programs you may require a certain level of education and if you have been away from full time education for more than 2 years you should be prepared to write positively about your experiences and the skills you have gained. On an application or your resume be prepared to describe the skills and knowledge you have acquired during the time you have spent traveling. If you would like to know more information about traveling abroad see the contacts below under Work Abroad.

There are many schemes within Canada that allow you to travel and work in another country. However some of these opportunities have age restrictions that require applicants to be over eighteen. Here are some of the programs that are available to students in Canada:

Agence Quebec/Wallonie-Bruxelles pour la jeurnesse:
if you are between 18-30, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have lived in Quebec for at least a year you may be eligible to attend a training program in Belgium. For more information contact:

Agence Quebec/Wallonie-Bruxelles pour la jeunesse,
1441 Rene-Levesque Blvd. west, room 301,
Montreal, QC, H3G 1T7
Telephone: (514) 873 4355
Fax: (514) 873 1538

Canada-Netherlands Student working holiday:
This is a four month career related employment opportunity. Areas of employment vary, and include industry, commerce, science and technology, tourism, agriculture and horticulture. This program is open to Canadian citizens or perminant residents 18-30 years of age. To participate, you must be registered at a post secondary institution and have either a written job offer from an employer in the Netherlands or friends/relatives who can help you find a job. For more information contact:

Stichting Uitwisseling
Attention: Rosemieke van de Meerendonk
24 Goulding Crescent, Kanata, Ontario, K2K 2N9
Telephone: (613) 599 6316
Fax: (613) 599 9397

Working Holiday programs in Australia, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom and Korea:

For these programs there are various application requirements which include:

For all countries applicants must be between the ages of 18-30 years of age with a valid passport, a return travel ticket and sufficient funds to travel except Korea the age is between 18-25 years of age. For more specific requirements please contact the relevant agency below:

Australian High Commission
50 O’Connor Street, Suite 710, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6L2
Telephone: (613) 236 0841
Fax: (613) 236 4376
Web site: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/temp-whm.htm

Embassy of Japan
255 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9E6
Telephone: (613) 241 8541
Fax: (613) 241 7415
Web site: http://www.embassyjapancanada.org/

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
1 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0T8
Telephone: (613) 232 1101
Fax: (613) 594 9330
Web site: http://www.germanembassyottawa.org/

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
150 Boteler Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5A6
Telephone: (613) 244 5010
Fax: (613) 244 5034

New Zealand High Commission
Metropolitan House, 99 Bank Street, Suite 727, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6G3
Telephone: (613) 238 5991
Fax: (613) 238 5707
Web site: www.nzhottawa.org/

Embassy of Sweden
Mercury Court, 377 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9N8
Telephone: (613) 241 8553
Fax: (613) 241 2277

British High Commission
Immigration Section, 80 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5K7
Telephone: (613) 237 2008
Fax: (613) 232 2533

If you would like to learn more about the opportunities that are available to you to study abroad go to http://www.learnoverseas.com/  This site has a massive database searchable by location, length of study, academic focus and tuition costs.

It’s a little known fact that many young people are closet entrepreneurs at heart. With guidance and mentoring, you too could become the next Richard Branson or Bill Gates! Consider combining something you know a lot about, or enjoy, with some good help and advice and start your own business. But remember it is always good to have a head start. There are many courses at college, vocational education and university that offer courses to help people start up a business. There are also many annual competitions available to give young entrepreneurs and inventors a head start. Here are some useful contacts that will give you more information about entrepreneurship:

Starting a Business (in Quebec) This is a guide to help you with the main steps you will have to take with the Quebec and Canadian Governments to start your own business: http://www.comm-qc.gouv.qc.ca/publications/ent_a.pdf

Business Gateway (in Quebec) This site gives you a list of all the business services within Quebec: http://businessgateway.ca/en/hi/prov/gc/contacts.cfm

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) The BDC offers financial and consulting services to help small businesses grow. For more information, call the BDC branch nearest you or contact:

Toll free: 1 888 463 6232
Web site: http://www.bdc.ca/

Canadian Foundation for Economic Education

These foundation offer resources to support economics and entrepreneurship education. For more information on all the resources available contact:

110 Eglington Avenue West, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1A3
Telephone: (416) 968 2236
Fax: (416) 968 0488
Email: mail@cfee.org
Web site: http://www.cfee.org/

This is a project for Quebec regions assist young local entrepreneurs. To be eligible you must be between the ages of 18-35 and reside within Quebec. For more information contact:

Tour de la Bourse,
800 Victoria Square, suite 3800,
PO Box 247, Montreal, QC, H4K 1E8
Telephone: (514) 496 4636
Toll free: 1 800 322 4636
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.qc.ca/

Now you have a better sense of what is available to you, look at your list of courses and places you would like to study. It is a good idea to do some research, learn about the places you are interested in studying, what they have to offer, costs that are involved and the location of the institution. In some cases, the institution will have the right course to suit you but not the location, so it is important to know as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help from your school guidance counselor or contact the institution directly to ask any questions you may have. Take control of your own career choices and make the right decision.