Remembering Pierre Morin: A Pillar of the CVA and the DACUM Community

It is with deep sadness that the Canadian Vocational Association (CVA) announces the passing of Pierre Morin, a cherished colleague, mentor, and friend. His loss leaves a profound void in our organization and in the field of competency management, where he dedicated his career to helping others grow and succeed.
Pierre was more than just an expert in competency analysis, competency-based program development, and performance management—he was a leader with a vision, a teacher with a passion, and above all, a man with a big heart. As the CVA’s DACUM Training Coordinator, he played a pivotal role in shaping vocational education in Canada and around the world. Since 1995, his expertise has guided countless professionals, and his legacy will continue to influence generations to come.
But beyond his professional achievements, Pierre will be remembered for who he was as a person. He was a big man in every sense, not only in stature but in the way he carried himself, with warmth, kindness, and quiet strength. He had a remarkable ability to listen deeply and truly hear people, making everyone feel valued and understood. Whether in a formal meeting or a casual conversation, Pierre made an impact, not just with his knowledge, but with his generosity, his wisdom, and his ability to bring out the best in others. Pierre Morin, CRHA, M.Sc., left an indelible mark on the Canadian Vocational Association (CVA) and the field of competency-based education and training. With over thirty-five years of experience in education, continuing education, and workplace training, he dedicated his career to the development of both individual and organizational competencies.
Pierre’s contributions to the CVA were both vast and transformative. He first joined the association in 1993 as a trainer in competency-based training (CBT) using the DACUM methodology (Formateur à l’APC – l’Approche par compétence selon la méthode DACUM). He later worked as a consultant in competency management and development before becoming, in 2005, CVA’s DACUM.
Training Program Coordinator, overseeing and expanding training initiatives. In this role, he was instrumental in extending the CVA’s DACUM Training and Certification Programs, and strengthening the association’s position as a global leader in competency-based training. His work took him to more than a dozen countries across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where he facilitated DACUM occupational analyses, trained DACUM facilitators and DACUM trainers, and supported institutions in implementing competency-based workforce development strategies.
As a DACUM master trainer, Pierre played a pivotal role in building the next generation of DACUM experts worldwide. Through his expertise and dedication, he mentored and certified both DACUM facilitators and DACUM trainers, ensuring the methodologies’ continued application across diverse industries and professional contexts. His impact extended well beyond DACUM training—he contributed to the development of numerous competency frameworks for a wide range of occupations. His work spanned an impressive array of fields, including cultural enterprise management, human resources, and organizational governance, as well as specialized professions such as notary, bioinformatician, automation technician, group insurance specialist, documentary filmmaker, artist manager, performing arts producer, stage technician, and record label director. This remarkable diversity highlights Pierre’s ability to apply the DACUM methodology effectively across multiple sectors, tailoring its implementation to meet industry-specific needs while maintaining its core principles of occupational analysis and competency-based curriculum development.
In addition to his work in competency-based education, Pierre was a Certified Human Resources Professional (CRHA – Conseiller en ressources humaines agréé), a prestigious designation awarded by the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec. This certification recognized his expertise in workforce planning, talent development, and strategic HR management, all of which played a crucial role in his approach to competency- based training and professional development.
Pierre was not only respected for his technical expertise as CVA’s DACUM Training Program Coordinator, but also for his exceptional facilitation skills, deep listening, and ability to make complex methodologies accessible. He embodied the CVA’s mission to support the global community by helping shape skills, education, and employment best practices. He was a strong advocate for CVA’s commitment to competency-based education, lifelong learning, and workforce development, principles deeply embedded in the association’s strategic direction.
His legacy will endure through the DACUM facilitators and trainers he certified, the competency- based programs he helped build, and the strong international community he nurtured—one dedicated to excellence in competency-based education, workforce development, and lifelong Learning.
In addition to Pierre ‘s ongoing work as CVA ‘s DACUM coordinator, he served respectively as vice president, president and past president of the CVA board for many years. During his tenure in these positions, Pierre contributed significantly to the organization.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Pierre’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He was one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed.
The Canadian Vocational Association (CVA)
March 2025