Working within the framework of the sociology of public action, the authors analyse the implementation of an educational policy tool with 17 directors of professional training centres in Montreal, interviewed through semi-directive questionnaires. Quebec’s Education minister wants to see the number of young people in vocational teaching go up: this request is being implemented within the context of new modes of governance whereby local authorities are accountable for their actions in terms of the improvement in various statistical indicators (of economic health). The analysis focuses on the way the minister’s prescription disturbs collective interpretations. Statistical focus on the issue of the young people tends to transform the positive image, which had gradually developed in this environment. The displacement of the point of view produces the same effect as an anamorphosis, contributing to showing what was hidden and to making the description of an area of training and development, which has long been fighting for recognition of its value and function, rather vague.