July 3, 2025
On Thursday, July 10, St.Amant is hosting its Festival d’Été / Summer Festival, a lively event taking place outside of St.Amant. The parking lot will be filled with music, food trucks like The Indigenous Kitchen, Extreme Fries, and Mickies Mini Donuts, and fun games like the human slot machine! But while the event promises great food and entertainment, it also offers a unique professional opportunity: French language testing.
As a designated bilingual facility, St.Amant is committed to delivering services in both of Canada’s official languages. But what does that mean for staff?
“It helps us understand our current bilingual capacity,” said Colette Brodeur, Manager of French Language Services. “We can identify employees who are already qualified to deliver services in French and where we need additional training or new hires.”
From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the festival, you can get tested in French through a quick 10-minute conversation-based evaluation. No formal preparation is required, and the supportive team is there to help you do your best.
Why take the test? According to Kara Huberdeau, Talent Acquisition Specialist, it can make a real difference in your career.
“Employees who know their level and are supported in improving it are more likely to feel valued,” said Kara. “It can boost confidence and keep great staff engaged.”
Whether you are fluent or just starting out, getting tested gives you a clear view of where you stand—and where you can grow. Plus, it helps St.Amant continue to provide high-quality, bilingual care to the people we support.
So come for the music and donuts — and stay for the career boost.
Sign up for testing or learn more at FLS@stamant.ca.
Q&A Interview: Why French Language Testing Is Important
Interview by: Colette Brodeur, Manager, French Language Services
Answered by: Kara Huberdeau, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Why is it important for our organization to know who speaks French and their skill level?
It helps us understand our current bilingual capacity. With this information, we can identify employees who are already qualified to deliver services in French and spot where we may need training or new hires. It is also important for planning and ensuring we meet the needs of the francophone community and the people that we support within the various program areas.
How does knowing employees’ French skills help with hiring the right people for bilingual positions?
It allows us to check if we already have someone internally who can fill a bilingual role before recruiting externally.
In what ways can testing staff for French help us keep good employees and help them grow in their careers?
Employees who know their level and are supported in improving it are more likely to feel valued. They may be more motivated to stay if they see opportunities for promotion or bilingual positions. Having language skills recognized officially can also boost confidence and engagement.
What are the benefits for employees themselves in knowing their French level and having that on file?
It can open doors to bilingual positions. It also helps them know where they stand and what areas to improve. If they are working toward a bilingual designation, this testing gives them a starting point and supports their development plan.
What should I expect when getting tested, and how should I prepare?
This is an in-person interview where you will engage in a general conversation about your role at St.Amant or general topics to determine your proficiency in a typical simulated work-related situation. All conversations are recorded.
The FLS Coordinators are encouraging and will help you do your best. No formal preparation is necessary for this type of evaluation. You are however encouraged to practice your French skills ahead of time by speaking with colleagues, friends, family, French-speaking people, and families you serve at St.Amant, and listening to radio, television programs or videos in French. These steps will help put you at ease during your test.
How does having this information help us meet Manitoba’s French Language Services rules?
Manitoba’s FLS policy requires designated services to be available in both English and French. To meet this, we need to know who can provide services in French. Having a clear, up-to-date list of bilingual staff ensures we stay in compliance and deliver services in both official languages.