Pathways to
Student Success
Education is a lifelong journey. You can always explore new pathways. All you need is a map to guide you to your desired destination. Ready? Ataii!
As a parent, you know that, starting from kindergarten, your child is on an exciting journey. Along the way, there will be important moments where you’ll help them choose the path that fits who they are and what they want to achieve.
Here, we’ve outlined some key paths. For each path, we’ve identified the tools your child will gain when they finish school. These tools are certificates and diplomas.
Exit without a certificate or diploma
You’re 16+ years old and you left school without a certificate or a diploma. In your qamutiik, you still have the credits from secondary school courses you completed. On top of that, you have the experiences, skills and competencies you’ve acquired from your life outside of school.
Unsure about the meaning of some terms? Check out the definitions section ➔
If you’re 16+ years old, you can:
- Enter the work force.
- Enter General Education (GE) or Vocational Training (VT) programs in the Adult Sector.*
* If you are missing pre-requisites for a vocational training program, you can get them with General Education, in the Adult Sector.
If you’re 21+ years old, you can:
- Qualify as a mature student at the university level.*
*You may still require a Secondary School Diploma (SSD), or specific pre-requisites. You can get these with General Education in the Adult Sector.
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Explore general education in Nunavik (offered at a distance or in class) ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered in Nunavik ➔
Explore vocational trainings, college and university programs offered outside Nunavik* ➔
*If you’re a beneficiary and have been admitted into a program of studies offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
Exit school with a Secondary School Diploma (SSD)
Our standard secondary school program provides students with a comprehensive general education. It meets all provincial requirements. Successful completion leads to a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) issued by the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ).
Unsure about the meaning of some terms? Check out the definitions section ➔
Each student must:
- Complete required mandatory and optional courses as early as 16 years of age.*
- Earn a total of 54 credits by successfully completing specific Secondary 4 and 5 level courses.
Learn more about the specific courses you need to complete ➔
* Remember, students can enter the adult education sector as early as 16—where flexible options like evening classes, part-time learning (even at a distance), and vocational programs open up new pathways.
With an SSD, you can enter:
- The job market
- A CEGEP/college program*
- A Vocational Training program*
- Nunavik Sivunitsavut
* If you’re missing pre-requisites for a college-level program or a vocational training program, you can get them with General Education, in the Adult Sector. If you’re beneficiary and have been admitted into program of study offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
If you’re 21+ years old:
- You may qualify as a mature student at the university level.*
*You may still require an SSD or specific pre-requisites. You can get these with General Education in the Adult Sector.
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Explore general education in Nunavik (offered at a distance or in class) ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered in Nunavik ➔
Explore vocational trainings, college and university programs offered outside Nunavik* ➔
*If you’re a beneficiary and have been admitted into a program of study offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
Exit from the Pre-Vocational pathway
A secondary school pathway with adapted programming, balancing general education and additional courses in a personalized schedule.
Available to students 15 years of age or over.
Unsure about the meaning of some terms? Check out the definitions section ➔
This pathway focuses on earning the pre-requisite credits required to enter a specific Vocational Training program, offered by KI Adult Education. Students do not graduate with a Secondary School Diploma (SSD) but will graduate with a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) after they complete their program in Adult Education.
A Personal Project as part of the Pre-Vocational pathway helps students build life skills, explore their interests, and engage in school.
The student will focus on:
- obtaining the credits required for their intended Vocational Training (General Education courses); and
- exploring an area of personal interest while maintaining school perseverance (through additional courses selected for their benefit).
The student must complete their courses to earn the required credits—specifically Inuktitut, Second Language and Mathematics. Supports made available to the student will be documented in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Completion of the courses will be confirmed in an achievement record, issued by the Quebec Ministry of Education MEQ. This official document lists the courses, grades, and credits earned. It serves as a proof of academic progress and qualifications.
Courses are determined through discussions between the teacher and the student regarding the student’s expectations and the requirements of their desired program. If necessary, the student may also contact the Academic Training Counsellor to map out their courses and potential future pathways.
To register to the Pre-Vocational pathway, the student must:
- Be at least 15 years old before September 30 of the current school year.
- Have an expressed interest in a specific vocational program offered at KI.
- Have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that identifies their goals and indicates support required to fulfill them.
- Have their parent’s consent to take this path.
*Admission depends on the number of applicants, waitlist duration, and availability of educators.
With a Pre-Vocational achievement record, you can enter:
- The job market
- A Vocational Training (VT) program*
- General Education (GE) in the Adult Sector
* If you are missing pre-requisites for a vocational training program, you can get them with General Education, in the Adult Sector.
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Explore general education in Nunavik (offered at a distance or in class) ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered in Nunavik ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered outside Nunavik* ➔
*If you’re 21+ years old beneficiary and have been admitted into a vocational training program offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
Exit from the Pre-Work Training program (PWT)
This 3-year program provides practical and general education with a focus on developing a student’s employability and essential skills for community and work integration, leading to a general certificate of employability.
Available to students 15 years of age or over.
Unsure about the meaning of some terms? Check out the definitions section ➔
This 3-year program provides practical and general education with a focus on developing a student’s employability and essential skills for community and work integration, leading to a general certificate of employability.
The program’s content falls under two categories:
- General Education courses (such as Inuktitut, Mathematics or Culture & Land Survival); and
- Practical Education courses (such as Introduction to the World of Work, Preparation for the Job Market and Work Skills).
As part of their education and certification, the student, with their teacher’s help, needs to find a work-training placement or a work-simulation opportunity to be completed during school hours. The work training is mandatory.
The student and teacher develop a work training project by consulting a ministry directory of competencies. These competencies are chosen based on what the student finds to be new, interesting and relevant to their educational plan.
Students receive a certificate from the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ) attesting to their completion of school and employability.
Graduates will earn:
- a Pre-Work Training Certificate (PWTC)
To register, students must:
- Be at least 15 years old before September 30 of the current school year.
- Have an academic delay of three years or more compared to peers.
- Have been offered special education support in the past.
- Have an active Individual Education Plan (IEP).
- Have parental consent.
With a Pre-Work Training Certificate (PWTC), you can enter:
- The job market
- General Education (GE) in the Adult Sector
- Continue in the youth sector and take the Semi-Skilled Trade (TST) program
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Explore general education in Nunavik (offered at a distance or in class) ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered in Nunavik ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered outside Nunavik* ➔
*If you’re 21+ years old beneficiary and have been admitted into a vocational training program offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
Exit from the Training for a Semi-Skilled Trade program (TST)
A 1-year secondary school program with adapted programming, balancing general education and additional courses in a personalized schedule.
Available to students 15 years of age or over.
Unsure about the meaning of some terms? Check out the definitions section ➔
This 1-year program prepares the student for the job market. It includes general education and practical education through work-training or work-simulation projects.
The program’s content falls under two categories:
- General Education courses (such as Inuktitut, Second language and Mathematics). The student may also use the TST bridge to obtain prerequisites for specific Vocational Training programs in the Adult Sector; and
- Practical Education courses (such as Preparation for the Job Market and for a Semi-Skilled Trade).
As part of their education and certification, the student, with their teacher’s help, needs to find a work-training placement or a work-simulation opportunity to be completed during school hours. The work training is mandatory.
The student and teacher develop a work training project by consulting the ministry directory of semi-skilled trades. The chosen trade is selected based on what the student finds to be new, interesting and relevant to their educational plan.
Students receive a certificate from the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ) attesting to their completion of school and employability.
Along with any credits they acquired, graduates will earn:
- a Training Certificate in Semi-Skilled Trades (TCST)
To register, students must:
- Be at least 15 years old before September 30 of the current school year.
- Has not completed secondary cycle 1 or has an academic delay of two years compared to their peers.
- Have been offered special education support in the past.
- Have an active Individual Education Plan (IEP).
- Have parental consent.
With a Training Certificate in Semi-Skilled Trades (TCST), you can:
- Continue in the youth sector and enroll in a 2nd TST program
- Enter General Education (GE) in the Adult Sector
- Enter Vocational Training (VT) in the Adult Sector (depending on prerequisites obtained)
- Enter the job market
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Explore general education in Nunavik (offered at a distance or in class) ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered in Nunavik ➔
Explore vocational trainings offered outside Nunavik* ➔
*If you’re 21+ years old beneficiary and have been admitted into a vocational training program offered by an educational institution outside Nunavik, you may be eligible for sponsorship ➔
Certificate
Definition
A document confirming the completion of a specific program or training, typically shorter than a diploma, recognizing specialized skills or knowledge.
Examples
TESOL Certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Certificate in Project Management, or CPR Certification.
Diploma
Definition
An official credential awarded upon completing an educational program, usually at the secondary or postsecondary level, indicating mastery of required competencies.
Examples
Secondary School Diploma (SSD), Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in Québec, or Diploma in Business Administration.
Attestation of College Studies (ACS)
Definition
A qualification issued in Québec’s college system (CEGEP), granted after completing a short-term, workforce-oriented program, distinct from a diploma.
Examples
ACS in Early Childhood Education, ACS in Computer Programming, or ACS in Digital Marketing. All these are short-term, career-focused programs offered by CEGEPs.
Credits by courses
Definition
Academic value assigned to courses; students accumulate the required credits to progress to the next level or obtain a diploma, certificate, or degree.
Examples
A university course worth 3 credits, a high school math course earning 1 unit, or a college semester requiring 12 credits to be full-time.
Achievement record
Definition
Academic value assigned to courses; students accumulate the required credits to progress to the next level or obtain a diploma, certificate, or degree.
Examples
e.g. A university transcript, a high school report card, or an academic progress report showing earned credits.
Typical school levels and age groups
Definition
The standard educational progression (e.g., primary, secondary, postsecondary) aligned with typical age groups, guiding students through their structured learning journey.
Examples
Elementary school (ages 6–12), High school (ages 12–18), Undergraduate university (ages 18+).