Commissioned Reports

A Portrait of Work-related Learning in Quebec

 March 4, 2008

Overview

This report was authored by Paul Bélanger and Magali Robitaille of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Development on Lifelong Learning (CIRDEP) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and was funded by the Canadian Council on Learning’s Work and Learning Knowledge Centre.

Additional Resources
  • News Release
  • Full report (PDF, 318 KB) 
  • The 76-page report examines the impact that Quebec’s innovative 1995 legislation, the Loi favorisant le développement de la formation de la main-d’oeuvre (Act to Foster the Development of Manpower Training), also known as the “1% Law”, has had on the province’s workplace training sector.

    It also offers the first comprehensive review of the current state of workplace learning in Quebec, including a detailed account of how training is organized in firms in different sectors of the economy.

    What is the 1% Law?

    The 1% Law initially required all Quebec employers to invest a minimum of 1% of their total payroll on training. Those failing to do so were expected to contribute an equivalent amount to a public fund that supports workplace training initiatives in the province. In recent years, the legislation was amended to exempt companies with payrolls of less than $1 million.

    Key findings and observations
    • Between 1997 and 2002, participation in workplace training in Quebec increased significantly; from 21% to 33%—the fastest growth rate in Canada.  The report shows that over the six-year period in question, Quebec dramatically closed the gap with the average Canadian rates of participation in training (though Quebec still lags slightly behind the national average).
    • The report also draws attention to the fact in Quebec, as in other provinces, participation in training is not evenly distributed; it varies considerably depending on the company’s size, industry type, type of employee and the individual learner’s education and training levels.
    • The provisions introduced under the Act have had a significant structuring effect on how training is planned, organized and supported at all levels across Quebec: at the firm and sector levels, as well as regionally and provincially.
    • The legislation has led to the creation of several permanent bodies—such as the Labour Market Partners’ Commission; the 30 Workforce Sector Councils; and the 17 Regional Labour Market Partners’ Councils—which are devoted to decision-making related to workforce training and development.
    • This report also highlights the current data gap that exists in information about adult learning and training in organizations across Canada. Such information would be useful to employers, employees and policy makers.

    Workplace learning and training are a key element in the success of individuals, organizations, and the Canadian economy as a whole. The Canadian Council on Learning hopes that this report will make a valuable contribution to the understanding of such training in Quebec and across the country.

    About the authors:

    Paul Bélanger is the director of CIRDEP, president of the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) and the former director (from 1989 to 2000) of the UNESCO Institute for Education in Hamburg, Germany.

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    Paul Bélanger

    After directing research centers on education and work in Canada, Paul Bélanger became director (1989-2000) of the UNESCO Institute for Education in Hamburg, Germany. He is now professor at UQAM University in Montreal and director of the interdisciplinary research centre on lifelong learning (CIRDEP). He is author and co-author of Lifelong Learning (Kluwer, 1995), Shifting Patterns in Adult Education Participation (Pergamon, 1997), Transitions toward LLL: social indicators (Tokyo, 1998), Unlocking People's Creative Forces, A Transnational Analysis of Adult Learning Policies (UNESCO 2000), La participation à l’éducation des adultes. Un portrait en neuf fiches (2004) “Learning Cities, Concept and Issues” in Duke, et al. 2006, Making Knowledge Work, NIACE). He is president of ICAE, the International Council for Adult Education. Belanger.paul@uqam.ca

    Magali Robitaille is a researcher at CIRDEP and teaches at the Université du Québec à Montréal. She obtained her doctorate degree in Education Sciences at the University of Geneva in 2004, and her master degree in psychopedagogy at Laval University in Quebec in 1996.

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    Magali Robitaille

    Magali Robitaille has teaching assignment at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM, Canada) and is professional researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Lifelong Learning (CIRDEP, UQAM). She has obtained her doctorate degree (2004) in Education Sciences at the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and her master degree in psychopedagogy (1996) at Laval University (Quebec, Canada), both on professional continuing development of school teachers based on co-operative learning. Her main fields of study and research are classroom practices, peer interactions and professional development related to occupational life course. robitaille.magali@uqam.ca

    This report was authored by Paul Bélanger and Magali Robitaille of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Development on Lifelong Learning (CIRDEP) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and was funded by the Canadian Council on Learning’s Work and Learning Knowledge Centre.Ce rapport est signé Paul Bélanger et Magali Robitaille, du Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche et de développement sur l’éducation permanente (CIRDEP) de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) et a été financé par le Centre du savoir sur l’apprentissage et le milieu de travail du Conseil canadien sur l’apprentissage.