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A PROMISING INITIATIVE...                                       Editor: Nancy Nourse

Date: March 8, 2012  Region: Memphremagog

Deputy Pierre Reid recently met with representatives of Emploi-Québec Estrie and Centre des services partagés du Québec (Center for shared services of Quebec) in order to discuss possible openings, in the public and para-public sectors, for experienced workers having lost their employment but who do not have a Level V diploma (high school diploma). This initiative followed up the petition that was deposited with the Quebec National Assembly on behalf of 200 workers, following the announcement of the closing of the Difco factory last June.

The meeting was initiated by the Deputy for Orford following a suggestion by his colleagues Michele Courchesne - President of the Council of the Treasury, and Julie Boulet - Minister for Employment and Social Solidarity, after he made them aware of these problems last autumn. Richard Thivierge, one of the originators of the petition, accompanied Reid. One of the first reports which has arisen from this meeting is the opening of the Center for Shared Services, which manages job applications in the Québécois ministries. The resumés of experienced workers are to be treated with as much care even if they do not have diplomas of Level V. Indeed, for several jobs, a great deal of experience can compensate for the absence of the diploma and open the doors to the process of qualification.

In addition, the deputy is pleased to learn that the advisers of Emploi-Québec and the CLEs (local Employment Centers) are well-informed about this situation and are willing to help experienced workers present their qualifications and their experience to employers in both the public and private sector.

The deputy now intends to meet with the authorities responsible for hiring in the municipal, hospital, school, collegial and academic mediums to discuss the possibility of hiring experienced workers, not just high school graduates. It will also work to establish these kinds of contacts with certain large private employers. Already, the Mayor of Magog, the Executive Director of the CSSSM and the Executive Director of the Commission des Sommets have shown a great sensitivity towards the workers who have fallen victim to layoffs.