Are you familiar with the CQIF?

Are you familiar with the CQIF? It is the acronym for: Certificate of Quality of Training Initiatives. Still not familiar? If you are an employer with an annual payroll of more than 2 million, you are missing a golden opportunity to be exempt from administrative obligations under the Skills Act (1% Act).

Only 289 Quebec companies hold this certificate[1] out of more than 17,600 employers subject to the Skills Act[2]. It is therefore a well-kept secret… but not among our clients! GIRO obtained its CQIF last November as part of a continuous improvement process for its training offer.

Employer’s commitment

Since 2008, the CQIF has been awarded to companies that commit to a training process that provides continuous development for their employees, and this, in a formal way for a period of 3 years. GIRO is therefore committed to respecting all the conditions set out in the current regulations, namely to

Implement and enforce a continuous skills development process;
Develop a formal consultation structure requiring the participation of representatives of the employer and its employees;
Ensure the participation of representatives at all stages of the implementation of the process;
Ensure that audits can be carried out in its organisation regarding the implementation and application of the skills development process.

According to Claudine Plante, Deputy Director of Human Resources at GIRO, this initiative is just the beginning.  Although there is still much to do, GIRO is currently in the process of structuring and improving its training management practices. Claudine’s goal is to position GIRO as an employer of choice by promoting skills development and upgrading, and by offering tailor-made training paths for employees.

How to get certified?

The employer must submit an application to the Labour Market Partners Committee and complete the prescribed form. A presentation document describing the skills development process is required. The employer must also submit other supporting documents to support the various steps, as mentioned in the Guide de présentation d’une demande de une demande de certificat de qualité des initiatives de formation.

The benefits of the QIC

Beyond the administrative exemptions and the reduction of accounting tasks, the QIFC brings several advantages. Certification allows you to :

Stand out as an employer of choice in times of labour shortage;
Set standards to better target training needs;
Increase the quality of training offered;
Increase the participation and commitment of employees in the development of their skills;
Remain competitive and agile in the market through increased productivity and quality of services;
Promote different learning or development techniques adapted to the reality of the organisation (coaching, mentoring, companionship, micro-learning, etc.)
Improve communication and working relations between the employer and employees;
Aligning competence development with the strategic orientations of the organisation.

GIRO’s management is aware of the need to differentiate itself both in the labour market and in its industry. Employees are therefore key players with a significant impact on the achievement of their business objectives. This is an excellent reason for the organisation to take care of them, to ensure that their needs are met and to offer development opportunities that match their ambitions!

Are you interested in obtaining CQIF certification or structuring your training management processes?

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By Elyse Marineau, CHRP, Human Resources Consultant

Editor of the HR blog – Iceberg Management

[1] Commission des partenaires du marché du travail. 2021. “Certificate of Quality of Training Initiatives”. List of companies holding a CQIF by region: https://www.cpmt.gouv.qc.ca/grands-dossiers/loi-competences/liste-titulaires.asp

[2] Commission des partenaires du marché du travail. 2016. Activity report 2015-2016. Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity.