Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC). ‘Competencies’ . . . a fancy way of saying the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
RAC is a process that makes it possible to be assessed on your existing skills for the purpose of gaining official recognition of the competencies you’ve acquired through life and work experience. Basically, what you have already learned on the job, through a hobby, or from volunteering. This process allows Quebec residents the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a program that we offer in our school board and match the skills to the requirements in the trade’s program of study. With each successful recognition you get closer to your diploma!
Your experience can come from anywhere! Perhaps you learned on the job, from a parent, or are self-taught. RAC’s not too concerned with how you learned, we just want to make sure you get the recognition you deserve.
One of the tools we have is a self-assessment document. This document lists every skill we will be assessing, with choices to rate your skills. In conjunction with an interview, we will use your self-assessment to discover what you already know and where you need support.
To qualify for RAC you do need to have enough experience in your trade that our content specialists will not be teaching you the basics of our program. Together we will decide if RAC is right for you.
Still not sure? Contact rac@nfsb.qc.ca and we will help put you on the right “RAC” pathway.
Step 1 – Apply through Admission FP
Select your RAC program here. All documents can be uploaded to this site. (Birth Certificate, Proof of Address, Education Transcripts)
Step 2 – Welcome!
Your RAC counsellor will talk to you about RAC, and the Candidate (that’s you!) will share what experience you have and why you would like to participate in the RAC process.
Step 3 – Complete your application file.
RAC documents you may be asked to provide:
| Resume (CV) | This CV can be as detailed as you like. We require a general idea of your work history and what your tasks were. Volunteer experience could count as well. |
| Letter of Intent |
This letter gives a good overview as to why you want to participate in the RAC process.
It can be as simple as; ‘To whom it may concern, I would like to join RAC because ________________. I have experience in __________________ for __________________ years…’ |
| Letter of Reference | This letter can come from any employer or client that worked with you in your trade. The letter must include how long you worked together and what your tasks were. |
| Cards or Certifications |
Do you have your ASP or First Aid card? Do you have any special certificates?
We will add copies of these to your file. |
| Portfolio (if applicable) | Do you have pictures of projects you’ve created? We will add them to your file too. |
| Self-Assessment form | This is a self-assessment package that will be sent to you by the RAC consultant and once completed, you return it to the consultant. |
Step 4 – File Analysis
Once all documents have been provided by the Candidate (that’s you!), the RAC Consultant will analyse your file and determine your eligibility to the program.
Step 5 – Validation Interview
Once all of your documents are in order, we will schedule an interview. This interview will include the Content Specialist (a person with a wealth of experience in your field), the RAC consultant, and the Candidate (that’s you!). Together we will discuss your experiences and review your Self-Assessment package. Through this discussion we will decide which options are the best for each competency that you will be assessed in to earn your diploma.
| 1. Assessment | Straight to assessment. The RAC team has determined that you possess competence in the skills in question and are ready to proceed directly to the assessment. |
| 2. Partial Training | You need some support. This could come in the way of short demonstrations, reviews, exercises, tutorial videos, reading materials, etc. Once you are prepared, you will be assessed. |
| 3. Full Training | You need to be taught. Sometimes key skills are missing and require more training than can be provided through independent learning. If that is the case, we will work together to find the best solution for you. |
Step 6 – The RAC process officially begins!
You and your Content Specialist will work together to complete your plan. The RAC process is designed for those who are independent and self-motivated. The speed in which you complete your reviews and assessments will be driven by your determination and motivation.
Step 7 – Earn your diploma and get paid what you’re worth!
Each assessment that recognizes your competence will appear on your official Ministry transcript as a success and will accumulate to your diploma. Nowhere on your official documents will it mention that you participated in the RAC process. You will have the same diploma as students who took the traditional route.
Nothing! There are no application or registration costs for RAC. The only cost may be an exercise book or a specialty tool, if necessary to support your learning. For example, the Content Specialist may recommend that a Secretarial Candidate with limited Excel experience purchase an exercise book used in our traditional program, to support their learning.
APPLY NOW: New Frontiers SB | Programs and training offered | AdmissionFP
RAC is driven by the Candidate (that’s you), and your level of experience and motivation. There are no set start or end dates for RAC. The difference is that the RAC process uses adult-specific assessment methods which take into account how you learned, and the self-taught practical nature of your learning. This gives you an opportunity to prove that you have acquired these competencies during activities or situations in your trade.
If you have a wide variety of experience in the trade and are motivated, the process may take half the time of the traditional program. We work together at your pace, to meet your needs.
Where: RAC assessments can be done in one of our three Centers or at your place of work. This will depend on your needs, and the space and equipment available.
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Nova Career Centre
Chateauguay, QC Programs with facilities: Auto Mechanics Secretarial Studies Welding and Assembly |
CVCEC
Ormstown, QC Programs with facilities: Carpentry Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions (SASHSSI) |
HAECC
Huntingdon, QC Programs with facilities: Horticulture and Garden Centre Operations |
When: RAC works with the your availability, and at your pace. We offer online Validation Interviews and assessments (where applicable), as well as evening and weekend availabilities for in-person assessments and meetings.
If you left the program to seek employment in your field and have since been growing your skills, RAC may be the perfect way to be recognized in the competencies you are missing to acquire your diploma. Don’t forget, employees who have their official certification often earn more money!
Are you a Canadian citizen from outside of Quebec: To meet the requirements of RAC you must live in Quebec for a minimum of 3 months before registration can be submitted. Proof of residency for this time will be required.
Are you new to Canada: Welcome! For immigrants to Canada, a document that proves Canadian citizenship or a permanent residency card, and a Quebec Selection Certificate or other permits are required.
Please find all required documents for registering here
Contact me! We’ll figure it out together.
Marilou Thomassin
RAC Consultant
rac@nfsb.qc.ca
438-342-2413
Registration is ongoing- apply anytime and start the process to gain your diploma!
Your experience must demonstrate the competencies required for the program. Hobbies or informal experience alone may not be sufficient to qualify. Still not sure? Reach out!