Background

Sector committees originated with the sectoral intervention policy adopted in 1995 by the board of directors of the Société québécoise du développement de la main-d'œuvre, now Emploi Québec.

The first human resources sector committees were established in November 1996, with a view to mobilizing the players in the different industry sectors to take action on problems associated with the development of employment and the management and training of human resources. The Comité sectoriel de main-d'œuvre du commerce de détail was created following an agreement between the management and labour partners in the retail industry (Conseil québécois du commerce de détail and the Travailleurs unis de l’alimentation et du commerce) in collaboration with Emploi Québec. It is a non-profit organization composed of employer and employee representatives from the retail sector.

The first task of the Comité sectoriel de main-d'œuvre du commerce de détail (now Détail Québec) was to acquire a more in-depth knowledge of the sector, based on the data collected in a diagnostic study conducted on its behalf.

Since its creation, Détail Québec has conducted and published studies on the socio-economic profiles of the retail sector. It has organized human-resources development activities and information sessions aimed at Quebec retailers. Détail Québec has also produced reference tools to guide retailers in the management of their human resources.

Through its collaboration with the Ministère de l'Éducation, Détail Québec has contributed to the development of training programs specific to the retail sector: the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in Professional Sales, and the Attestation of College Studies (AEC) in Business Management and the Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in Business Management. Détail Québec also develops training activities tailored to retail employees and managers.

In 2007, the Comité sectoriel de main-d'œuvre du commerce de détail is celebrating its tenth anniversary and has become Détail Québec, a more dynamic name that is more representative of the retail sector.