COATICOOK. Given the strong growth in popularity of its programs, the -Centre de formation professionnelle -CRIFA is starting to feel a bit cramped. That’s why its leaders are simmering an expansion project in the order of eight million dollars.
The director general of the establishment, -Tina -Desmarais, confirmed that a request to this effect was recently sent to the Ministry of Education. “We are currently awaiting an answer,” she explains. It can come very quickly, just as it can be very long. It all depends on the department’s priorities in relation to all the files they will receive. We are the only ones to have submitted a project concerning the agricultural component in the region, so we have a chance that our request will be heard – perhaps a little more quickly. »
While waiting for the verdict from the high spheres of Education in -Quebec, the leaders of -CRIFA had to make sometimes difficult decisions. “-We were forced to relocate certain programs for lack of space, underlines -Mme -Swamps. We still remain the center of education in agriculture in the region and we want to preserve it. It is for this reason that we have gone ahead. »
The specifics of the new wings have not been specified. “If the government’s response is positive, we will see with our architects what can be done. There is a lot of talk about expanding certain premises already in place. »
One thing is certain, the -Centre de formation professionnelle – -CRIFA owes a great debt to its partner, the -Centre for initiatives in agriculture in the -Coaticook region (CIARC). “-The lands on which we wish to install the expansion are those of the -CIARC. Its leaders support us in our efforts. We also have an agreement, but we will have to have new discussions with them when the project gets the green light. Without them, an expansion of our facilities would be problematic, if not impossible. »
The expansion project would allow the creation of new premises, which would be closer to the realities of agricultural businesses in the region.
REGISTRATIONS -STILL -IN -INCREASE
The -Centre de formation professionnelle – -CRIFA has been enjoying popularity for some time. Over the past five years, the number of registrations has always been on the rise. Paid programs make a big difference, says Director -Tina -Desmarais. “They give a chance to people for whom it would be too difficult financially to go back to school”, she mentions.
Currently, the landscaping and automobile mechanics programs offer this possibility. The -CRIFA recently submitted a request to obtain a third paid component, that of horticultural production.
The director also salutes the work done by the head of the secretarial program, -Carole -McDuff. “She has set up a way of working in sets, which allows students to go and do periods in the company and in class. It’s extremely popular. We don’t wait until the end of the year to put our skills into practice. We do it almost from the start. People have an idea of the types of environments in which they will want to work next. All of this is thanks to the partners that -Carole sought out, notably with the University of -Sherbrooke, notaries and law firms. »
For your information, cohorts for the fall 2022 semester are already full. “It’s a very good sign for the future, concludes -Mme -Desmarais.
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