A recent study reveals that many Quebec companies are on the lookout for candidates with English-language skills, highlighting a growing demand.
Quebec: The Office québécois de la langue française recently shared some interesting findings. They found that 40% of companies in Quebec are actively looking for people who can speak English.
This info comes from a 2023 study by Quebec’s statistics institute. It looked into what companies and municipalities want when hiring. They focused on the need for French or English skills.
Back in 2018, they did a similar study. Fast forward to 2023, and 61% of companies want French skills, while 40% are on the hunt for English skills. The demand for French has actually gone up since 2018.
In 2023, 26% of companies said they need English skills, while 14% just prefer them. The OQLF pointed out that knowing French is key for communication within the company, but English is often needed for dealing with clients or partners outside.
Now, before a company can require English skills, they have to show they really need it. They must check if their current staff can handle the tasks and limit the number of positions that need English.
If a job requires English, companies must explain why in the job listing. It’s all about making sure they’re not just asking for English skills without a good reason.
