High school students can soon spend majority of year in apprenticeships
It is a major shake up to Ontario’s traditional schooling model. Starting next year, high school students in Grade 11 and 12 can spend up to 80% of their time outside the classroom, instead earning their high school diplomas and Co-op placements. In an effort to draw students into the skilled trades, we’re giving students a much faster pathway to the hands on learning and skilled jobs. Grade 11 and 12 students can soon dedicate the majority of their academic calendars to apprenticeships. The province is creating a new stream within its Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. That will allow students to earn up to 11 credits in Co-op placements, taking up 80% of their time. We will always ensure students decide if they want to take these courses. The remaining 20% of their calendar will be spent in the classroom. Math and English courses will be mandatory. It is a bit of a backtrack for the government. Last March they had initially announced grade 11 students could soon enter apprenticeships full time. While they didn’t consult with us before they made that announcement, there were consultations since and at least now students will have some mandatory credits. That they will need to take in the high school, which I think will be positive for their futures. This is the latest step the government is taking to address a major shortage of tradespeople in Ontario. The education minister says their efforts have already resulted in a 17% increase in enrollment in Ontario youth apprenticeship programs. So we are making an impact, but I think we all know we have to go further. But are they going too far earlier with being although a little bit of a role model in Canada in terms of the ability to? Introduce skilled trades to young people so I don’t think they need to over correct too much. We already have a pipeline of young people that it’s about what are the supports they need to stay. The announcement sparking some concerns about the potential repercussions on graduation rates and academic achievements. We can’t discount the value of other kinds of things that young people learn in high school. Literacy and numeracy are foundational, including when you’re a skilled trades person. You know every announcement kind of contradicts the one before that. We need kids in school, we. They need to check their cell phones. We need them out working right away like I don’t. I’m not really sure the direction that the government is headed. The government says in order to meet the demands of building critical infrastructure, the province will need 500,000 more people in the skilled trades over the next decade. For City News, I’m Tina as Danny.