This FAQ page has questions and answers to many common questions receptionists get daily.
Click the categories below to go to the questions
Prior trade experience (RAC)
*All callers should be asked about prior experience
Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC).
RAC is a process that makes it possible to be assessed on your existing skills for the purpose of gaining official recognition of the competencies you’ve acquired through life and work experience. Basically, what you have already learned on the job, through a hobby, or from volunteering. This process allows Quebec residents the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a program that we offer in our school board and match the skills to the requirements in the trade’s program of study. With each successful recognition you get closer to your diploma!
You should not have to redo, in a formal educational setting, any learning you may have already acquired on the job or through life experience.
Together with a content specialist from your trade, we’ll discover what you already know and what is the best way to develop any missing elements based on the program of study from your trade.
Once we have created your plan, you will work with your content specialists to complete activities while they observe and assess your skills. If you are missing a skill or need a review, your content specialist can provide you with tutorials, reading material, or exercises to complete on your own time.
It should be noted that is some centres, if you are missing a skill it might be recommended that you take the full competency in the program and in turn, would require the prerequisites for the program to be able to do so.
The ideal RAC Candidate (that’s you!) is self-motivated and can learn independently.
Your experience can come from anywhere! Perhaps you learned on the job, from a parent, or are self-taught. RAC’s not too concerned with how you learned, we just want to make sure you get the recognition you deserve.
One of the tools we have is a self-assessment document. This document lists every skill we will be assessing, with choices to rate your skills. In conjunction with an interview, we will use your self-assessment to discover what you already know and where you need support.
To qualify for RAC you do need to have enough experience in your trade that our content specialists will not be teaching you the basics of our program. Together we will decide if RAC is right for you.
Your RAC advisor will contact you and discuss what’s involved in the RAC process. Here is a list of names and contact information.
Central Québec
Sylvie Piché
Sylvie.Piche@cqsb.qc.ca
Eastern Shores
Vicky Marsh
vicky.marsh@essb.qc.ca
Eastern Townships
Susan McConnell
mcconnells@etsb.qc.ca
English-Montréal
Miriam Furfaro
mfurfaro@emsb.qc.ca
Riverside
Martine Tremblay
mtremblay@rsb.qc.ca
Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier
Anna Bracaglia
abracaglia@swlauriersb.qc.ca
Western Québec
Andrée Fortin
afortin@wqsb.qc.ca
New Frontiers
Amanda Lemay
alemay1@nfsb.qc.ca
Lester B. Pearson
Pierre Auclair
pauclair@lbpsb.qc.ca
CREE
Michael Reinbold
michael.reinbold@cscree.qc.ca
Kativik
Nourredine Amer-Youcef
nourredine.Amer-Youcef@kativik.qc.ca
CERAC LBP
Lucie Beauregard
lbeauregard04@lbpb.qc.ca
At the end of the RAC process you will receive the same certification from the program as a traditional student. All recognitions of competencies are submitted as “successes” and are recorded on your official Quebec Ministry of Education transcript. Nowhere in your documentation will it indicate that you used the RAC process to obtain your certification.
If you left the program to seek employment in your field and have since been growing your skills, RAC may be the perfect way to be recognized in the competencies you are missing to acquire your diploma.
Nothing! There are no application or registration costs for RAC. The only cost may be an exercise book or trade specific certification, For example, the Content Specialist may recommend that a Secretarial Candidate with limited Excel experience purchase an exercise book used in our traditional program, to support their learning.
Any vocational training program can be RACed except for Health Assistance and Nursing as it is governed by the OIIAQ
RAC is driven by the Candidate (that’s you), and your level of experience and motivation. There are no set start or end dates for RAC. The difference is that the RAC process uses adult-specific assessment methods which take into account how you learned, and the self-taught practical nature of your learning. This gives you an opportunity to prove that you have acquired these competencies during activities or situations in your trade.
If you have a wide variety of experience in the trade and are motivated, the process may take less time than the traditional program. We work together at your pace, to meet your needs.
Assessments of your skills can happen a number of ways. We can visit you work or job site, or an appointment will be scheduled at one of our centers. Because we are assessing your competence (ability to complete a skill accurately and efficiently) you can be given a situational problem to solve, or an activity to complete. While you work, your content specialist will assess your abilities. If you are successful and show competence, you get your recognition. If you are unable to complete the task, you will be given a review and re-assessed at another time on only the skills you did not demonstrate correctly. There is no failure in RAC, only identification of where you will need to focus your learning.
Are you a Canadian citizen from outside of Quebec: To meet the requirements of RAC you must live in Quebec for a minimum of 12 months before registration can be submitted. Proof of residency for this time will be required.
Are you new to Canada: Welcome! For immigrants to Canada, a document that proves Canadian citizenship or a permanent residency card, and a Quebec Selection Certificate or other permits are required.
Contact the CERAC representative for the English sector and they will find one for you (see “How do I apply” for their email address).
Programs
--General Education
Registrations are done on AdmissionFP. Some centres have their own websites that students go through first, then get transfered to AdmissionFP.
You have to be 16 years old by June 30th of the year you want to start the program.
Check with the individual centres. Some centres have monthly start dates.
There is no cost for the individual courses, but you have to pay for your materials (books).
Yes, all our courses follow Ministry guidelines.
Yes, our counsellors or academic advisors can help answer many of your questions.
There are intakes throughout the year, check the adult education website to view their academic calendar.
Yes, it is called Concomitance. Students should speak to a guidance counsellor for more information. It also depends on the program.
During the pandemic, centres were offering hybrid learning. Currently there are less and less courses being offered online or in the hybrid model.
--Vocational Education
Registrations are done on AdmissionFP. Some centres have their own websites with registration forms that students go through first, then get transfered to AdmissionFP. Some centres also require students to present documents and sign forms.
You have to be 16 years old by June 30th of the year you want to start the program.
You can apply for programs up until the start date. After which you will have to call the centre. If there is still room, you may be able to register.
Yes, you can register for a program that has already started. There are several programs though that require 100% attendance. It may also depend on when it started, is there space, what program it is and if it is a transfer from another school. Your centre can answer these questions.
The range of cost for vocational programs is between $0 and $900 approximately. Some centres charge a registration fee. You must also pay for books and materials.
International students or adults who have not resided in Quebec for more than a year may incur tuition fees (fee amounts depend on the program).
Yes, all our programs follow Ministry guidelines.
Depending on the program, some do require completion of certain subjects. Our guidance counsellors can help answer many of your questions.
There are intakes throughout the year, check the adult education website to view their academic calendar or www.inforoutefpt.org
Yes, it is called Concomitance. Students should speak to a guidance counsellor for more information.
During the pandemic centres were offering hybrid learning. Currently there are less and less courses being offered online or in the hybrid model. Check the centre.
Academics (pre-requisites/classroom issues/attendance/exams)
--General Education
The GED-TS General Education Diploma grants 36 credits in elective subjects, which count towards a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) and makes it possible to enter most vocational and technical training programs, college-level programs leading to the Attestation of College Studies (ACS) and technical attestations. The GED is recognized throughout North America. Age required: 16 years old by June 30th of
the school year preceding the registration.
The GED Tests correspond to Secondary V examinations in the following subjects: (5 tests)
English-language arts writing skills
English-language arts reading skills
Social studies
Science
Mathematics
Certificate of Secondary studies
GDT
General Development Test
Age required: 18 year old when entering the
program (DVS). (1 test)
Subjects covered
Language, Mechanical Reasoning, Problem
Solving, Reading Comprehension, Science
Please first speak with the teacher then if things aren’t satisfied speak to the centre director or assistant director.
Talk to your teacher, guidance counsellors and then centre administration.
A guidance counsellor can help with academic questions,
Most adult centres have counsellors that can help students. They also have SARCA development officers. Each board has a SARCA person. They can help find support not related to academics like career options, support from local organizations and finances.
You would have to provide a death certificate and you be absent 2 to 3 days.
Some centres do not accept absences due to sick family members.
By email, Teams or text
Give your doctors note or document to your teacher or centre secretary.
Yes, Grade 10, 11 and 12 courses can be considered.
Yes, but there will be a shift in language courses previously acquired, speak with the guidance counsellor or academic advisor for further information.
Centre websites often list the materials needed for courses and programs.
Attendance policies vary between centres. Attendance is critical for student success. Some centres will remove students from courses if they miss 5 consecutive days.
Some centres partner with local organizations to run English or French conversation classes.
Secretaries at certain centres can reset passwords for you.
Most centres can lend out laptops. You will be given one that corresponds to the course you are enrolled in.
Yes and No. It depends if your child has agreed to share information with you. I will check to see what the file indicates.
It depends on the centre you are in. But figure 8:30am to 3:30pm approximately.
For most subjects you must complete the entire module. The exception, is in French secondary 5 exam.
SSET
Secondary School Equivalency Tests
Age required: 16 years old by June 30th of
the school year preceding the registration.
5 tests
English, Comprehension
English, Grammar
French Second Language
2 of the 4 tests of the series (Economics, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Studies)
Students get an attestation of equivalence for secondary 5 studies. seconda
--Vocational Education
Inforoute will tell you which pre-requisites you need for programs.
AdmissionFP https://www.admissionfp.com/ or Inforoute https://www.inforoutefpt.org/ has details about pre-requisites needed for different programs. Credits are not used in adult education.
It depends on the program and the level of English the student is comfortable with.
Centre websites often list the materials needed for courses and programs.
This is a course by course decision. Most programs do not allow for more than a few classes missed within a module. In certain programs, if a student misses several classes within a module, they may have to restart the module over. In centres with one group, this could mean having to wait a year or so to begin the module again.
Some centres partner with local organizations to run English or French conversation classes.
Secretaries at the centres can reset passwords for you.
Most centres can lend out laptops. You will be given one that corresponds to the program you are enrolled in.
Yes and No. It depends if your child has agreed to share information with you. I will check to see what the file indicates.
Yes, based on the courses you took, you may be accepted in adult education. Documents like the students’ permanent code, reports cards, diplomas and the program the student wishes to register for, must be sent to the Ministry.
Daily schedules are flexible to suit student needs
The centre director or assistant director.
Talk to your teacher, guidance counsellors and then centre administration.
A guidance counsellor can help with academic questions,
All adult centres have guidance counsellors that can help students. They also have SARCA development officers. Each board has a SARCA person. They can help find support not related to academics like career options, support from local organizations and finances.
You would have to provide a death certificate and you be absent 2 to 3 days.
No
By email, Teams or text
Give your doctors note or document to the centre secretary.
Yes, Grade 10, 11 and 12 courses can be considered.
Yes, but there will be a shift in language courses previously acquired, speak with the guidance counsellor or academic advisor for further information.
Finance
--General Education
Support is on a case by case situation and is based on personal criteria students must provide. It is not based on which program a student is registered for.
Yes, centres can give you a statement of account.
Services Québec can offer financial services and support. Contact a counsellor for eligibility. Some indigenous students could find financial support through their local band council.
No
For the most part, centres allow for payment agreements. They can also recommend Services Québec who may be able to help.
--Vocational Education
Yes and No, it may depend on how long a student has been in a program due to the materials consumed during that time.
You must pay your invoice before you start the program. Some require the purchase of tools and thus, invoices must be paid before materials are given out.
For the most part, centres allow for payment agreements. They can also recommend Services Québec who may be able to help.
Individual centres do not offer financial assistance, but have staff that can assist you applying for financial assistance via AFE prod.education.gouv.qc.ca
Support is on a case by case situation and is based on personal criteria students must provide. It is not based on which program a student is registered for.
Yes, centres can give you a statement of account.
Depending on the course, they range from $0 to $900 approximately.
Services Québec and AFE prod.education.gouv.qc.ca can offer financial services and support. Contact a counsellor for eligibility. Some indigenous students could find financial support through their local band council.
Registration
--General Education
Yes, we can help at the centre.
The Quebec Permanent Code is a government ID number created by the Quebec Ministry of Education. It is a unique identifying code assigned by the Ministry to all students who attend an educational institution in Quebec regardless of where they come from and regardless of their residency status.
The permanent code is on all past report cards and transcripts. They can also call their former school to get their permanent code.
Call your local adult centre. AdmissionFP can give a temporary code.
A guidance counsellor can register you in a course when their is place.
Yes, the administrative secretary can check to see if your application was sent.
Unfortunately, no.
Proof of studies. Centres can offer this document.
Yes, some centres and boards have staff that can answer questions and register international students.
We have start dates throughout the year.
Different in each board. It usually involves filling in special forms and a meeting with the centre.
The best thing to do is go to the adult centre where they will be printed and put into your files and or uploaded.
Placement Tests and/or Previous Report Cards are starting points.
--Vocational Education
Yes, we can help at the centre.
The Quebec Permanent Code is a government ID number created by the Quebec Ministry of Education. It is a unique identifying code assigned by the Ministry to all students who attend an educational institution in Quebec regardless of where they come from and regardless of their residency status.
The permanent code is on all past report cards and transcripts. You can also call your old school.
Call your local adult centre. AdmissionFP can give a temporary code.
Please refer to AdmissionFP or our website for that information. Centres will also be aware if students have dropped out of courses which would allow for new registrations. There are other situations when you would be allowed to register. Contact the centre for more information.
Yes, the administrative secretary can check to see if your application was sent.
Unfortunately, no.
Proof of studies. Centres can offer this document.
Yes, centres and school boards have staff that can answer questions and register international students.
We have courses and programs that start throughout the year.
Different in each board. It usually involves filling in special forms and a meeting with the centre.
The best thing to do is go to the adult centre where they will be printed and put into your files and or uploaded.
It depends on the program. Inforoute can give you information of space available in certain programs. https://www.inforoutefpt.org/
You will receive and email stating that your application has been accepted. You will then receive an email from the centre that you have been accepted into the program.
Placement Tests and/or Previous Report Cards are starting points,
Resources
Inforoutefpt is the best resource. https://www.inforoutefpt.org
The guidance.procede.ca website is amazing! https://guidance.procede.ca
AdmissionFP is a great resource plus you can apply for a program.
AEVS-Adult Education and Vocational Services AFP-Attestation de formation professionnelle
AVS-Attestation of Vocational Specialization
CCQ-Commission de la construction du Québec
CFP-Centre de formation professionnelle
CJE-Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi DEC-Diplôme d’études collégiales DEP Diplôme d’études professionnelles
DES-Diplôme d’études secondaires DFGA-Direction de la formation générale des adultes
DFP-Direction de la formation professionnelle
FGA-Formation générale des adultes
PROCEDE-Provincial Organization of Continuing Education Directors, English QAAL-Quebec Association for Adult Learning
QACVE-Quebec Advisory Council on Vocational Education
RAC-Reconnaissance des acquis et des competences (Recognition of Acquired Competencies)
SARCA-Services d’accueil,de reference, de conseil et d’accompagnement / Reception, Referral, Counselling and Support Services
Full list click here
SARCA development officers can help. Each board has a SARCA person. They can help find support not related to academics like career options, support from local organizations and finances.
Good site for exploring trades. Includes job placement and salary.
SARCA is a French acronym for Services D’accueil, de Référence, de Conseil et D’accompagnement. In English it’s Reception, Referral, Counselling and Support. The role of the SARCA development officer is to support people who may want to return to school to finish their high school leaving diploma. They can also help with career options and recommend local organizations. They are a free guidance service in all school boards in the province. Click here for a list of all SARCA development officers in the English system.