Pathway ProgramsLester B. Pearson School Board

In today’s economy, understanding and meeting your customers’ needs and expectations, as well as establishing a climate of trust and customer loyalty, are crucial aspects for a career in professional sales. Graduates of the Professional Sales Program will learn how to understand sales products and services, how to offer solutions that correspond to their customers’ needs, how to manage and display in-store merchandise and how to provide the ultimate after-sales service. This 900-hour training program will prepare you for a career in sales consultancy or sales management.

The Administrative Professional program teaches you a broad range of skills and prepares a student for a career in an office setting. Expertise in writing and formatting business documents, in bookkeeping, and in word processing makes administrative professionals indispensable to almost every type of business.

All of our classrooms are equipped with the latest technology and business software. Our teachers are seasoned experts who understand business dynamics and how to thrive as a working professional. You will work independently and in small groups and will be encouraged to build new skills through collaboration, sharing, and hands-on learning.

Skills you will learn:

· Latest business software

· Business meeting management, effective business correspondence, desktop publishing techniques, basic accounting procedures, and French language correspondence

· Leadership and teamwork building, interpersonal communication, and effective time management strategies

A career in business
Trained administrative professionals with up-to-date skills continue to be in high demand. Our graduates work in large and small businesses across the private and public sector and the course has a very high placement rate.

The Starting a Business program is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs or new business owners who want to develop the skills to make their new venture a success. Businesses that succeed apply sound planning, management, marketing, and sales strategies to optimize their products and services and grow a loyal customer base.

Our teachers are accomplished business leaders who will guide you step by step through each module. A combination of multimedia, lectures, and guest speakers will provide you with a well rounded curriculum that covers the A to Z of starting a business. You will have the opportunity to network with seasoned entrepreneurs who will share their real world experience. Students will learn from actual case studies and be given the opportunity to develop their own business plan and a road map to future success. The flexible hours and part-time schedule allows students to enroll in the program while managing other personal and work related commitments.

The Residential and Commercial Drafting program teaches you to prepare technical drawings in preparation for a career in the architectural and building engineer industries.

You will learn a range of skills using the latest cutting-edge software. The facilities are state of the art and teaching staff are seasoned experts with real word industry experience. The program is built around easy to follow modules and students are encouraged to work independently and in teams as they learn through practical, hands-on workshops. Students will prepare drafting projects, which they can use to enhance their professional portfolio; an added value for employers as you transition into a career. As well as in-class learning, there is also a student placement program. The placement program gives you the opportunity to apply your newly learned skills in a real world setting and to network with industry experts.

The Computer Support and Networking program is designed to ready you for a career in the field of Information Technology. Graduates work as computer support specialists, network support specialists, and network administrators.

The program goes beyond basic MELS requirements. The school is a Microsoft Academy and students will acquire specific knowledge in Cisco, Comptia A+, Linux+ and Network+ upon completion of the program. The skilled teachers have a broad range of experience and will provide you with guided instruction in our state of the art classrooms equipped with the latest hardware and software. Theoretical learning is complemented by our placement program which will enable you to apply your skills in a real world industry setting prior to graduation.

The Food and Beverage Service Program prepares you for a career in the food service industry. You will learn how every aspect of a food service operation contributes to the guest experience. You will learn how to process orders and serve food and beverage items to customers, ensure customers are satisfied with their dining experience as well as process customer payments. You will learn about service techniques, food and beverage products and know how to practice responsible alcohol service. Upon graduation you can be employed in restaurants, dining rooms, hotels, private clubs, resorts, convention centres and on cruise ships.

The Bread Making program is designed for food lovers who want to learn the art of making artisanal breads from scratch. The program readies you for an exciting career in the food industry and complements the skills of the aspiring chef.

Discover the taste, touch and smell of perfectly baked bread. Experienced teachers will guide you step by step through the creative process as well as the science behind bread making. Learning is very hands-on and collaborative. You will work in small groups and knead, shape, and bake your way to the perfect loaf of bread. The partnership program with Première Moisson provides you with the opportunity to apply your newly learned skills in a real world setting.

The Market-Fresh Cuisine Program helps you connect your passion for food with an exciting career as a professional cook. Cooks who have completed the program acquire the creativity and know-how to be able to prepare original dishes and menus. You will be introduced to both innovative and healthy cooking.

Discover the latest products and modern cooking methods through this hands-on training program. You will be encouraged to actively participate in lively discussions with our seasoned teaching staff and explore new developments in the food industry and the latest cooking techniques. Through fieldtrips and a field placement experiences, you will get to meet and work with accomplished chefs and restaurateurs in a real world setting.

The Pastry Making Program teaches you to prepare, cook, decorate, and present pastries and desserts. You will explore the latest trends and techniques in the fine art of pastry making.

The programme’s teaching staff are food industry experts and accomplished chefs, and the school is the Centre of Expertise in Quebec for the food industry. The programme will guide you step by step in the creation of beautiful pastries. From chocolate bon bons, to soufflés, to amazing showpieces, you will learn a broad range of skills. It will prepare you for a career as a caterer, shop owner, pastry chef, baker and chocolatier to name just a few possible career choices. The state of the art cooking facility is set up with the latest equipment and you are encouraged to collaborate with your classmates as you learn. You will complete your studies with an internship in the food industry to gain real world, first hand experience.

Professional Cooking is a fast-paced and hands on program that prepares students for an exciting career in the food industry. Home cooks, food lovers, or aspiring chefs will learn the latest cooking techniques at the premiere Quebec Centre of Expertise for the culinary cooking arts.

You will work with seasoned chef instructors in state of the art facilities. Through hands-on and collaborative learning you will discover how to translate your passion for food into a professional career. Graduates will gain the knowledge and ability to manage all facets of food preparation, from mise en place, to service, to food preparation and menu creation. The programme will guide you step by step through our easy to learn cooking modules. You will have the opportunity to cook for guests in our Le Saucier dining room, as well as train in some of the top Montreal restaurants as part of our student placement program.

The Retail Butchery program teaches you the processes and products associated with all things meat. From understanding the whole animal to exploring the finest cuts, you will learn all of the skills necessary to take on a career in the food industry.

The program is mostly focused on hands-on learning. Seasoned butchery experts guide you step by step through cutting and preparing techniques in state of the art kitchens. You will also learn about the history of butchery, and explore a range of meats including beef, veal, pork, lamb and chicken. The has the only bilingual butchery program in Quebec and has a very high rate of student success. Beyond the classroom, the programme will help you transition into a career through its placement program which provides you work experience in a real world setting.

The Assistance in Home and Health Care Facilities program prepares you with the skills to deliver health care to patients. Patient assistants promote the comfort of the people under their care by helping them with meals, personal hygiene, and mobility.

Our exciting learning spaces include interactive classrooms and laboratories that simulate a true to life hospital environment. Working in small groups, you will benefit from shared learning with your classmates. All of our teachers are former health care professionals and they guide you through hands on learning and support. Prior to graduation, students participate in real world training in a hospital setting through our student placement program.

The Dental Assistance program will train you to perform chairside assisting procedures and related office and laboratory tasks under the direction and supervision of a licensed dentist. Dental assistants ensure that everything is ready for the day’s treatments, including preparing instruments and materials required by the dentist.

Our state of the art dental clinic is the perfect environment in which to learn. You will be encouraged to collaborate with classmates as you explore dental theory and learn the latest dental techniques. Our dedicated and experienced teachers help you every step of the way as you make your journey from student to professional dental assistant. We are the only English language public dental assisting program in Quebec. We have been training dental assistants for over 30 years and we are an integral part of Montreal’s dental community.

The Health Assistance & Nursing program prepares you with the skills to deliver health care to patients in order to support their optimal quality of life. Nursing assistants carry out a variety of essential tasks and are an important part of a health care team.

Our exciting learning spaces include interactive classrooms and laboratories that simulate a true to life hospital environment. Working in small groups, you will benefit from co-operative learning with your classmates. All of our teachers are former nurses and they share their experience through hands on learning and support. Learning theory is complemented by real world experience in a hospital setting through our student placement program.

Language Requirement: BLI English level 8 + Official French B2 level

The Home Care program prepares students to provide health care support services within the community and to kickstart their career in this rapidly growing area of the health care industry. Home care workers are trained to help people maintain their independence and remain in their homes by improving their living conditions and assisting them in their daily activities.

You will learn in state of the art labs, fully equipped with all of the amenities to replicate a real world health care setting. The experienced teachers have first hand home health care experience and will be able to provide you with real world insight. Classroom learning is hands on and you will be encouraged to work in small groups as you move step by step through the program’s modules. Graduates have a very high rate of job placement and find work in a variety of settings, including CLSC’s, foster homes, hospitals, and private home care agencies.

The safety and sanitation of health care institutions is essential to their proper functioning. The Hygiene and Sanitation program prepares you to perform cleaning and disinfection in hospitals and in medical clinics.

Sanitary guidelines in Canada are very specific and determine how health care institutions must maintain their facilities in order to ensure patient, visitor, and staff safety. Experienced instructors train you in the latest techniques and standards of practice through hands-on, guided learning. Small classes and excellent student to teacher ratio means you get very individualized attention in a collaborative environment. The school has a special partnership with local health care facilities that welcome its students. You will have the opportunity to train on site and gain hands on experience, while building strong employer networks. The program is also an excellent choice for individuals looking to expand their general building maintenance skills into the health care sector.

The Pharmacy Technical Assistant program prepares you to work with a pharmacist in either a private pharmacy, community setting, or in a health care establishment. The main role of a pharmacy technical assistant is to help the pharmacist in issuing prescriptions, maintaining and updating patient files, as well as the sale of medications and pharmaceutical products.

Teachers are industry experts and will provide you with hands on training in a friendly environment. The program blends theoretical learning with real world education, as well as training students on the latest computer based management programs. We work with you to make sure you successfully transition into a professional career.

The Secretarial Studies – Medical program prepares you for a career in the health sector or social services. Medical secretaries are vital to medical establishments including hospitals, local community service centres (CLSCs), private clinics, doctors’ offices, laboratories, radiology centres, and government organizations.

To train you for success, this program combines lectures, practice and problem-solving exercises, and multimedia. You will have the chance to apply your skills by performing industry related tasks on your own and in small groups. Expert teaching staff provide you with insight into the health care industry and guide you step by step through the program’s learning modules.

Language Requirement: BLI English level 8 + Official French B2 level

The Hair Removal program trains you in the latest techniques in permanent hair removal. This program is for people who have graduated from out Esthetics program or who have a Certified Nursing degree.

Our modern beauty centre has all of the latest equipment and provides you the opportunity to work on actual clients. The teaching staff are experienced estheticians who guide our students step by step through the program’s learning modules. Our student placement program provides you the opportunity to work in a real salon setting and network with leading industry people prior to graduation. Students with busy lives appreciate the program’s flexible hours and part-time schedule.

Skills you will learn:

• The latest hair removal methods
• Working with electrolysis equipment
• Hygiene and Safety
• Management and consultation of clients

A career in beauty care
A beauty care career allows our students to work internationally and in a dynamic industry. Our strong employer network enables us to stay current with industry trends, and helps to ensure very high job placement for our graduates.

The Esthetics program provides you the opportunity to explore your creative ambitions while gaining the knowledge and technical skills to be able to pursue a successful career in the beauty industry.

Our centre has fully functioning hair salons and classrooms equipped with the latest beauty care equipment and technology. Our teachers are seasoned professionals who guide you through hands-on learning and step by step demonstrations. You will bring your learning alive by practicing beauty care techniques on-site, and have the opportunity to work on clients who visit the centre. You will gain firsthand knowledge of the beauty industry, from the fundamentals of the aesthetics trade, to successfully managing clients, to the study of the head, face, and body. Our student placement program gives you the opportunity to work in real world setting prior to graduation and gain invaluable experience, while networking with industry experts.

Skills you will learn:

• Health and safety regulations of the beauty care industry
• Understanding the properties of the face and skin
• Techniques to perform facials, massage, waxing, hair removal, manicures, foot care, and make-up

A career in beauty care
A beauty care career gives you the flexibility to work anywhere in the world. The industry is continually growing and our graduates go on to become owners of salons, sales representatives, and beauty care teachers.

The Hairdressing program provides you the opportunity to explore your creative ambitions, while gaining the knowledge and technical skills to be able to pursue a successful career in the beauty industry.

Our centre has fully functioning hair salons and classrooms equipped with the latest beauty care equipment and technology. Our teachers are seasoned professionals who guide you through hands on learning and step by step demonstrations. You will bring your learning alive by practicing hairdressing techniques on-site, and have the opportunity to work on clients who visit the centre. You will learn how to manage appointments, recommend products, and deal with clients in a real salon setting. Our student placement program gives you the opportunity to gain invaluable real world experience at a salon prior to graduation. Students attend professional conferences related to the hairdressing trade and are able to network with successful industry leaders.

Skills you will learn:

Understanding the properties of hair and scalp
Technical training in chemical services such as hair colouring, pastel colouring, and permanents
Washing, setting, cutting, and styling of hair
A career in beauty care
A beauty care career gives you the flexibility to work anywhere in the world. The industry is continually growing and our graduates go on to become owners of salons, sales representatives, and beauty care teachers.