Trained as an economist, Richard St-Pierre began his career in 1987 as a research officer at the Ministère des Finances du Québec, before joining the sector responsible for public employment services (Emploi-Québec) of the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité Sociale in 2000. Since then, he has held various management positions and has been the Director General of Employment Policy, Planning and the Labour Market at Emploi-Québec for nearly ten years. Emploi-Québec, within the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité Sociale, offers universal employment services to the entire population of Québec, including information on the labour market and job placement. In addition, Emploi- Québec offers specialized services to unemployed people, allowing them to undertake a process that will eventually lead them to enter the labour market or to maintain their employment. Emploi-Québec also provides businesses with assistance in the various aspects of human resources management.