Three Routes Start
Apprenticeship

General carpenter

DEP Charpenterie-menuiserie (1,350 h) + CCQ apprenticeship, 3 periods, then compagnon

22 of 30 verified for Quebec; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Quebec works differently: trades are a nearly free DEP then a CCQ apprenticeship; college is a 3-year DEC at a cégep (tuition-free for residents); university is 3 years after a 2-year pre-university DEC. Numbers from IMT en ligne, CCQ, FIQ scales and the Relance surveys.
Years to credential1
First real paycheque~1 year
Time in a classroom15%
Total cost$2,000
Typical debt after$0
Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

schoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$673k1 year at $0 while in school, then $56,100 rising to $80,100 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$2ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$671kthe number on the card
Low to high$570k to $772kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Quebec median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isFraming, formwork, finishing; residential and commercial sites. Very hands-on, visible results daily.
What actually stops peopleEasy to start, harder to reach top pay without specialising or going union.
The downsidePay ceiling is lower than electrical or plumbing unless you move into site supervision or your own company. Outdoor work in every season.
If you're the parentQuick start, no debt, and housing construction needs people for the next decade. Earnings plateau earlier than other trades.
Local opportunities in Quebec

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need
  • No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up
Deadlines in Quebec
  • DEP (diplôme d'études professionnelles) through your school board, intakes in fall and winter; then CCQ for construction trades
  • Secondary 4 or 5 can start a DEP

Next steps in Quebec

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Save or share this pathway

Email it to yourself or someone who should see it.

In QuebecOnly 3 apprentice periods. Residential-sector rates are lower than the institutional rates used here. Seasonal 1,600 hours assumed.
www.quebec.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: CCQ rates (SQI table, Jan 2026: compagnon $50.09, period 2 $35.06); IMT 72310 median $38/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: léger déficit

← Back