How a training path can help your housing co-operative: guide

2026-08-12 — Laurent Bigard

Understanding the new training program

Are you looking for a federation of housing cooperatives in Montérégie to better train your members? FECHAM will offer you a personalized training program starting in 2026, which transforms a catalog of 22 training courses into a clear path, tailored to each person's responsibilities.

This new program addresses a very real challenge: faced with several relevant training courses, it can be difficult to determine where to start. The program allows you to choose learning modules based on the cooperative's needs, the participant's role, and the skills they need to put into practice.

The process combines prior learning, certification, and an on-site coaching session. It helps members acquire fundamental concepts before the trainer arrives, so that the time spent together is devoted to their practical application.

Who is the program for?

The personalized training program can be particularly useful for administrators, committee members, and individuals who are expected to take on new responsibilities. It is also helpful when welcoming new members or when a cooperative wishes to strengthen its governance, management, or compliance practices.

• Board of directors and administrative successors;
• Selection, maintenance, or good neighbor committees;
• Members responsible for finance or secretariat;
• Individuals responsible for enforcing internal regulations and policies.

Build your personalized training program

Start by confirming the area served: FECHAM supports housing cooperatives in Montérégie and adapts its interventions to their realities.

1. Make a list of participants. Note their role, seniority, the committees they participate in, and the decisions they need to make.
2. Identify priority skills. Identify needs related to governance, management, compliance, conflict resolution, or associational participation.
3. Consult the catalog. Visit the training services page to review the 22 courses offered in 2026.
4. Use the course tool. Select the profile of the members to be enrolled in order to obtain a training path consistent with their responsibilities.
5. Plan deadlines. Set a realistic date for completing the learning modules and obtaining certification before the on-site session.

Example of a course

A new administrator could start with the fundamentals of governance, then move on to the responsibilities of the board of directors, and finally complete the modules on regulations and decision-making. The governance guide for new administrators can also help them understand their responsibilities.

Tip: Do not select all courses at once. A progressive course, organized around the participant's actual tasks, promotes understanding and sustainable use of the knowledge gained.

Prepare for on-site training

Before the trainer arrives, make sure each participant has completed the scheduled modules and obtained the required certifications. This preparation is essential: it allows the trainer to work with a group that already has a grasp of the basics.

The session, which lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, then takes the form of practical coaching. Participants validate their understanding, examine situations specific to their environment, and clarify how the concepts will be integrated into the cooperative's daily activities.

Prepare concrete situations

Ask members to identify two or three situations they have recently encountered: the conduct of a meeting, the application of a regulation, the sharing of responsibilities, or the management of a disagreement. The trainer can use these examples to make the coaching more beneficial.

Warning: Certification does not replace a clear policy or a fair process. When conduct needs to be corrected, also consult best practices for preventing poorly managed disciplinary sanctions.

Track certifications and achievements

Board members have special privileges on the portal to track the progress of enrolled individuals. They can thus verify the progress of training and confirm the obtaining of certifications before planning the on-site intervention.

This traceability provides useful evidence of the cooperative's training efforts. In the event of a discrepancy with internal policies, it helps to distinguish between a lack of knowledge and a problem of application or behavior.

Many cooperatives seek this same type of structured guidance. In Montérégie, FECHAM can help your board organize follow-up without presenting the certificate as an absolute guarantee of compliance.

Create an internal register

Keep a register indicating the participant's name, role, completed training, certification dates, and actions agreed upon during coaching. Limit access to authorized persons and review this register when responsibilities change.

Practical advice for your cooperative

To achieve lasting results, integrate the program into the cooperative's normal operations. Plan a follow-up meeting with the board of directors and ask participants to briefly present the practices they wish to improve.

• Link each training course to a specific responsibility;
• Stagger learning to avoid overload;
• Confirm certifications before booking the on-site session;
• Record decisions and commitments made during coaching;
• Reassess needs when new administrators arrive.

If your cooperative is facing several difficulties at the same time, also consult this guide to overcoming cooperative challenges. It will help you determine whether training should be combined with coaching in governance, management, or conflict resolution.

Conclusion

The new personalized training program for 2026 makes skills development simpler, more relevant, and easier to document. It is based on a clear sequence: analyze roles, choose training courses, obtain certifications, participate in on-site coaching, and ensure follow-up on achievements.

If your cooperative is located in Montérégie, contact FECHAM. Its team can assist your board and members in choosing the program and registering on the portal.

FAQ

How many training courses are offered in 2026?

The catalog includes 22 training courses. The course tool helps you select those that correspond to your members' roles, responsibilities, and needs.

Does certification need to be obtained before the trainer arrives?

Yes. Participants must have completed the scheduled learning modules and obtained certification before the on-site coaching, so that the meeting can be devoted to implementation.

How long does the on-site coaching last?

The session lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is used to validate achievements, work on real-life situations, and agree on practices applicable to daily life.

Who can track participants' progress?

Board members have special privileges on the portal. FECHAM remains available to assist them, as well as participants, when registration support is needed.