Closed
Source verified July 31, 2026
Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC)
Supports Quebec organizations improving competency recognition
Funding available
$ 1,600,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Professional orders or other organizations that regulate access to a profession or trade and are constituted under a law or regulation applicable in Quebec
See full eligibility
Overview
This financial assistance program supports Quebec organizations in developing and improving tools, services and training to accelerate recognition of competencies acquired abroad by immigrants, with funding of up to $800,000 per year per organization and up to $1,600,000 per project. Eligible activities include bridging training, evaluation tools, guidance services, online resources and information materials that facilitate professional integration in Quebec.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,600,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- New immigrants & refugees
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Personalized or specialized bridging training, including pedagogical material, leading to the practice of a profession or trade in Quebec
- Online bridging training on the knowledge needed to practise a profession or trade in Quebec, and tools, services or training to shorten required internships
- Training on professional qualification assessment for people involved in admissions to professional orders, and pedagogical support to accelerate access to practice permits
- Training or self-study guides, exam preparation tools, information sessions, video capsules and information guides explaining the competency recognition process to immigrants trained abroad
- Assessment tools for foreign education and professional experience, collaborative platforms, competency reference frameworks, and validated website content for immigrants trained abroad
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed PARC financial assistance application form
- Project implementation plan with budget, project steps and timelines
- Board of directors resolution supporting the application and designating the authorized signatory
- Additional organizational documents may be required depending on the applicant type, including the latest charter update, annual or activity report, financial statements, updated bylaws and minutes of the last annual general meeting
- Any other relevant supporting document, such as letters of support
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Professional orders or other organizations that regulate access to a profession or trade and are constituted under a law or regulation applicable in Quebec
- Organizations that regulate access to an industry with regulated professions or trades and are constituted under a law or regulation applicable in Quebec, including the Autorité des marchés financiers and the Commission de la construction du Québec
- Educational institutions and school service centres, when the project is not eligible for funding from the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur or the ministère de l’Éducation du Québec after validation by the Ministry
- Sectoral workforce committees (CSMO), when the project is not eligible for funding from the ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale
- Employers’ associations or groupings, non-profit organizations or cooperatives with charters compatible with the Program, and organizations requested by the Ministry to collaborate
Who is not eligible
- Municipal entities, political associations and parties, trade unions, and religious associations
- Individual businesses and private for-profit legal persons
- Foundations whose mission consists essentially of collecting and redistributing funds
- Government ministries, government organizations except the Autorité des marchés financiers, state-owned enterprises, other non-budgetary bodies listed in the Act respecting financial administration, and health and social services institutions including CISSS and CIUSSS
- Organizations in default under the Program, listed in the RENA, indebted to the Ministry without a repayment agreement, in financial litigation and not in good standing, incompatible with the Program, not in good standing with the lobbyists registry, enterprises with 50 or more employees lacking the required francisation documentation, and enterprises with 5 to 49 employees selected by the OQLF that refused or did not comply with Francisation Québec services
Eligible expenses
- Portion of personnel salaries, including social benefits up to 25% of salary, and project-related hours
- Rental costs for equipment or premises
- Purchase of materials indispensable to the project
- Promotion, communication and information resources
- Travel in Quebec within the Quebec public service reimbursement rates, study and expert-consulting fees, and administration costs up to 10% of total eligible expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Operating costs, regular activities and debt service, including salaries of permanent employees
- Land or property acquisitions, and building purchase, construction or renovation
- Collective or individual insurance, RRSPs, TFSAs and similar benefits
- Legal compliance requirements, accreditation, certification or membership fees, except mandatory training on assessment of professional qualifications for admission to professional orders
- Expenses outside the agreement period, activities funded by other sources, severance pay, translation and interpretation, activities outside Quebec, and any tax or other reimbursement request
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Project relevance (25%): alignment with the organization’s mission, the Program objectives and ministerial orientations; projects benefiting exclusively immigrants trained abroad receive a higher score
- Project quality (15%): fit between the project, the problem addressed and the needs of immigrants with foreign competencies, the organization’s expertise, community support and partner backing where applicable
- Project scope (30%): positive effects on the problem and the recognition process, participation in Quebec’s professional life, transferability to other settings, and alignment with labour market needs
- Innovative character (15%): ability to provide new, concrete solutions and to accelerate and improve recognition of competencies
- Project feasibility (15%): ability to deliver on schedule and budget, reach expected results and indicators, and rely on the organization’s financial, material, human, information and logistical capacity; prior obligations under a previous agreement and sustainable development principles are also considered
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Program Norms
- Read the PARC program norms and guide available on Quebec.ca.
- Confirm that your organization and project meet all admissibility requirements.
- Step 2: Define and Plan the Project
- Identify the competency recognition problem to be addressed and target clientele.
- Describe tools, services and activities to be developed or improved, with objectives and expected results.
- Prepare the project implementation plan, including activities, schedule and detailed budget using the official template.
- Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation
- Obtain a board resolution approving the funding request and designating the authorized signatory.
- Compile all mandatory organizational documents according to your organization type.
- Gather any letters of support or other relevant supporting documents.
- Step 4: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out all sections of the official PARC financial assistance application form for 2023–2026.
- Provide information on the organization, project description, indicators, partnerships, subcontracting and financing sources.
- Sign the declaration confirming the accuracy and completeness of the information.
- Step 5: Submit the Application
- Submit the completed form and all required attachments by email to the program’s specified address.
- Ensure submission between April 1 and January 31 of the applicable intake period.
Processing and Agreement
- The Ministry evaluates admissible applications, and in an appel de propositions they are reviewed by a selection committee
- The Ministry may request additional information during the evaluation and may refuse incomplete applications
- Selected organizations are notified and must sign a financial assistance agreement
- Beneficiaries must submit the required progress, annual, realization, follow-up and evaluation reports on the required schedule
- The Ministry may revise, suspend or terminate funding if obligations are not met
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) Program
What is the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC)?
This financial assistance program supports Quebec organizations in developing and improving tools, services and training to accelerate recognition of competencies acquired abroad by immigrants, with funding of up to $800,000 per year per organization and up to $1,600,000 per project. Eligible activities include bridging training, evaluation tools, guidance services, online resources and information materials that facilitate professional integration in Quebec.
How much funding can be received?
Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,600,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) program?
To be eligible for the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) program, you must:
The organization must be based in Quebec and carry out most of its activities there.
The organization must meet the Program’s admissibility conditions.
Immigrants in a recognition process must represent at least 40% of project beneficiaries.
What expenses are eligible under Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC)?
Personalized or specialized bridging training, including pedagogical material, leading to the practice of a profession or trade in Quebec
Online bridging training on the knowledge needed to practise a profession or trade in Quebec, and tools, services or training to shorten required internships
Training on professional qualification assessment for people involved in admissions to professional orders, and pedagogical support to accelerate access to practice permits
Training or self-study guides, exam preparation tools, information sessions, video capsules and information guides explaining the competency recognition process to immigrants trained abroad
Assessment tools for foreign education and professional experience, collaborative platforms, competency reference frameworks, and validated website content for immigrants trained abroad
Who can I contact for more information about the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC)?
You can contact Government of Québec by email at reconnaissance@mifi.gouv.qc.ca or by phone at 5148649191.
Where is the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) available?
The Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Skills Recognition Assistance Program (PARC) is a Grant and Funding