Toronto, Ontario — A Wednesday announcement from the Ontario government may plant a seed for the spike in skilled trades interest our industry has been looking for, as Grade 11 students in the province will now be eligible to enrol in full-time skilled apprenticeship programs.
With this new decision, students looking to pursue a trades education may now opt to begin a full-time apprenticeship program in Grade 11, and upon earning their Certificate of Apprenticeship, apply to receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as mature students.
Along with this move, the Ontario government is also currently in consultations to lower the entry requirements of the 106 recognized trades that call for a Grade 12 education, in the aim of filling seats in the province’s woefully under-attended skilled trades classrooms.
“For far too long, parents and students have been told the only path to succeed in life is by going to university, which is simply not true,” said Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton.
“When you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life. Our government will continue to provide students with the tools they need to land well-paying and life-long careers.”
According to the government’s press release, the Ministry of Education is working to recognize up to 30 credits required to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) for individuals with a Certificate of Apprenticeship or equivalent.
