As of March 31, 2025, new terms and conditions apply to two measures under the Act to modernize the construction industry in force since November 30, 2024.

These measures concern the granting of an apprentice competency certificate (ACC) or an occupation competency certificate (OCC) based on recognition of experience.

Specifically, the new rules are aimed at making access rules more flexible to encourage diversity on construction sites. This way, women, First Nations people and Inuit, and people representative of the diversity of Québec society will be able to:

• Obtain a first ACC without presenting a job guarantee or having the academic prerequisites if they demonstrate that they have acquired, in work experience and vocational training, a total number of hours equivalent to at least 35% of the duration of apprenticeship in a given trade (except for the trade of crane operator). The academic prerequisites will, however, be required when they renew their ACC.
• Obtain an OCC without having to present a job guarantee if they have 750 hours of work experience performed in relevant activities not subject to Act R-20.

Are you representative of Québec diversity?

To take advantage of the measures dedicated to First Nations people and Inuit and people representative of the diversity of Québec society, you must voluntarily identify yourself as such with the Commission de la construction du Québec. To find out more, visit www.ccq.org/inclusion.

Act to modernize the construction industry

As we remember, on May 23, 2024, the Assemblée nationale adopted the Act to modernize the construction industry, which includes some forty regulatory measures that amend the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry (Act R-20).

To find out all the measures currently in force and those to come, visit www.ccq.org/modernization.