Learn a job

I love the rapport with customers and the ability to connect with them when they come to eat in the Petites-Mains café-resto. At the moment, I’m learning the basics of baking. I was surprised to see all the nutritional and health aspects behind the preparation of meals. I’m also very proud to have been able to actively contribute to the preparation of meals for the homeless. This aspect of being able to take care of others and give them dignity, through my training, is something that fills me with happiness. – Lena

At first I was a bit apprehensive about the course, but the instructors explained everything to me. I integrated easily with the other participants. We have the opportunity to work on many orders, such as preparing meals for homeless people or for children at school. This enabled me to discover that there are different diets and dietary restrictions, but above all that I too was contributing to the well-being of these people. I’ve learned to be quick and efficient in the kitchen, all thanks to the support of the trainers and all the Petites-Mains staff. They’re always there to listen and support us. Thank you so much! I don’t regret coming here. – Fatima

I recently moved to Montreal. I chose to train as a cook’s assistant because I love cooking and wanted to learn how to prepare local dishes. Since I started, I’ve really enjoyed learning about pastry-making, including carrot cookies, and above all, the fact that it moves around a lot! It’s not a sit-down course. If I were to encourage a woman to take this course, I’d say she’d have to love cooking, teamwork and patience. – Solange

It’s a very interesting course for women who want to work with their hands. It requires concentration to handle the machines and, above all, to guide the fabric. The first time I was able to sew a bib, I was so proud of myself! I couldn’t believe I’d been able to learn how to operate a high-speed industrial sewing machine. – Assanatou Napo

I decided to change fields after giving birth to do something much more manual. The opportunity to do paid training was a new start for me, but it also reduced the stress I felt about my tasks as a wife and mother. Sewing is a very broad field in which there are many opportunities for employment in industry, but which also offers us the ability to be functional at home, such as repairing or re-adjusting our own clothes. Being women from different countries, it made me realize that we all share the same realities and difficulties, and helped me make new friends. – Grace Jackmakian

First, I wanted to take a course, but my husband didn’t believe in me. I told him I had to try and see for myself before confirming what he said. I was a bit lost when I started the apprenticeship, but with practice and the guidance of the teachers, I’m now able to handle the overlock and plain machines, do the packaging and iron the parts. – Sanzida Akter

This is my first professional experience in Quebec. I’m happy because this training has enabled me to practice both French and English through our daily tasks, but above all it has enabled me to develop my ability to manage stress, teamwork and a sense of autonomy. What I really enjoyed was the contact with other people and learning to better understand other cultures: it gave me greater respect for people who are different from me! – Fatoumah