Ontario carves early path to skilled trades for Grade 11 students
Ontario will begin consultations on potentially lowering entry requirements for some of the 106 skilled trades that currently demand a Grade 12 education.
Article content
The Ontario government plans to allow students in Grade 11 to transition to full-time apprenticeship programs while remaining on track to get a high school diploma, Premier Doug Ford announced.
With 380,000 jobs unfilled and plans to build massive infrastructure and housing, the province is facing an “historic labour shortage,” he said.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Ontario carves early path to skilled trades for Grade 11 students Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“This is a really, really big challenge for us right now but it’s also an amazing opportunity,” Ford said Wednesday.
Grade 11 students who have acquired a Certificate of Apprenticeship will be allowed to apply for their high school diploma as mature students, the government says.
The Ministry of Education has been tasked with identifying up to 30 credits for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma for students with a Certificate of Apprenticeship or equivalent, the government says.
Ontario is also promising to begin consultations this fall on potentially lowering entry requirements for some of the 106 skilled trades that currently demand a Grade 12 education.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the Ford government wants every student to have a path to a good-paying job.
“Today’s announcement signals to students and parents — those that are more inclined to use their tools or technology — that their sons and daughters have a fantastic roadmap to a job, yes, to home ownership and to a life of dignity and purpose,” Lecce said.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton noted apprenticeship registrations are up 23% this year overall and 29% for women.
“In Ontario, the average age of an apprentice is 29,” McNaughton said. “We must make it easier for young people to start careers in the trades.”
The announcement had the backing of a long list of trade unions, youth employment advocates and construction and contracting associations.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.