It’s an employment service for adults who has a criminal record, which is financed by Emploi-Québec. Any person (man or woman) 18 years or older who has a criminal record and who has difficulty finding and keeping a job. Increase and develop the employability of the targeted clientele in order to ease their integration or reintegration into the job market. This is a professional service offering a competent staff empowered to deal with adults who has a criminal record. The key element of this service consists mainly of the availability of its staff to assist and support the client in his or her employment- integration process. The expertise developed by OPEX over nearly 30 years makes it the preferred dialogue channel between legal organizations and the labour and training world.  Individual job counselling  Job-training group sessions  Résumé writing service  Facilitated access to Emploi-Québec services  Job banks  Employment agency  Support for clients and employers  Vocational testing  Referral to other services:  For education evaluation  For securing qualification cards  Development of entrepreneurial projects  Resources for drug-related problems In 1973, some inmates of the Cowansville penitentiary met with the founder of this service, Normand Guay. They expressed the wish that, upon their release, they might receive the necessary help for finding a job. “That’s what often makes the difference between remaining outside and going back in,” they said. The service was then sent up in December 1973. This is an opportunity for employers to find workers who could meet their requirements. These are workers who want to make their work experience, determination to succeed and skills available to their organizations. Also, in addition to being provided with a sound screening process, employers can in some cases benefit from a grant and receive from OPEX the necessary help and support. “This employee has proven a major asset for our company.” - Jocelyn Leclerc, president, Imprimerie M.J.B. Litho inc. (Sherbrooke) “We were so satisfied with the services offered by OPEX that we proceeded to a second hiring.” - Réal Côté, president, Les soudures St-Denis inc. “OPEX does a great job with companies and is necessary for people with a criminal record.” - COOP des Cantons (Magog) This activity is made possible with the financial help of Emploi-Québec. Note: These services are for adults who has a criminal record only.