Is your teenager nearing the end of high school, but uninterested in following the typical path of post-secondary studies like CEGEP and university? Here is an overview of less traditional options open to your child, whether they want to explore the job market, study outside Quebec, or pursue a different educational path.
Firstly, for students who have not earned their secondary school diploma (SSD) in the regular program, it’s not too late! Adult General Education offers an alternative way to complete high school.
Individuals missing a maximum of six credits to obtain an SSD are eligible to apply to college via the Springboard to a DCS pathway. This program also enables students to:
Complete the prerequisites required for admission to certain programs of study, such as mathematics or science programs
Take the time to reflect on their career choices by exploring different options
Make a smooth transition to college
Consulting a guidance specialist is always recommended to help students get to know themselves better and decide which option is best for them.
Does your teenager want to study outside Quebec, for example at an American university? A few schools in Quebec and Canada offer the option of completing a 12th year of school after Secondary V as an alternative to the Diploma of College Studies (DCS).
Successful completion of Grade 12 allows students to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), which opens the door to applications to universities in Canada and around the world.
In Quebec, however, 13 years of schooling are required to enter university. If your child wants to study in the province, they will have to complete an additional year of studies before starting a university program. Most universities offer a preparatory year that allows students to qualify for university studies.
To learn the ins and outs of a particular trade or profession, you sometimes have to think outside the box. For example, if your teen is interested in military experience, joining the Canadian Armed Forces may be an option.
Are they inspired by a religious vocation? A few institutions in Quebec offer university-affiliated training programs.
There are also some vocational training programs, often private and more expensive, which do not lead to a diploma awarded by the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec, but rather to an alternative diploma. These are training courses in specific fields (media, dance, hairdressing, special effects, etc.).
Your child may want to explore the job market when they finish high school, whether on a temporary or permanent, part-time or full-time basis. If this is your child’s choice, we advise you to help your child choose a job that aligns with their interests and needs. Many trade positions are open to applicants with an SSD or even just a few years of high school. For example, leisure and sports attendants, shoemakers, material handlers, industrial butchers, and housekeepers.
Many programs of study are offered as work-study programs (link in French), which allow students enrolled in a technical or vocational program to learn the trade or profession they are studying through on-the-job training.
Taking a gap year to travel, work, or do a passion project is a dream for many young people. Conversely, it can be frightening for many parents, because it is an unconventional choice. We encourage you to sit down with your child to talk about their goals for their gap year.
Do they want to...
Figure out what career they want?
Acquire new personal or professional skills?
Take time for themself?
Explore the world?
After this conversation, it will be easier to support them and guide them to relevant resources. Experiencing life abroad can be a formative experience, whether a young person is travelling for international solidarity, community involvement, or language studies, or simply to explore. For those staying in Quebec, a gap year could be an opportunity to seek out internships, volunteer, take a class, or work on an art project or business idea.