The Ford government wants to get more kids out of the classroom and into skilled trade apprenticeship programs.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced on Wednesday that grade 11 students will be allowed to transition to a full time apprenticeship programs in order to help battle historic labour shortages, and then apply for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as mature students.
Government figures show in the construction sector alone, 72,000 new workers are needed by 2027 to fill open positions because of retirements and expected job growth.
“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 Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “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.”
The government also plans to launch consultations next fall with employers, unions, education stakeholders, trainers, parents, and others about ways to make it even easier for young people to enter a career in the trades. This includes the potential of lowering entry requirements for some of the trades that currently require a grade 12-level education.
“The new ‘Grade 10 to Apprenticeship Pathway’ announcement will help thousands of clients we serve, most of whom are barriered youth,” said Timothy Lang, President and CEO of Youth Employment Services. “The trades are not only an ‘in-demand’ opportunity but provides a well-paying long term career. We are so pleased that the government continues to invest in Ontario’s future through our youth and innovative programs like this.”