{"id":13995,"date":"2023-03-09T18:44:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T02:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/ontario-allowing-high-school-students-to-transition-to-skilled-trades-apprenticeship-programs\/"},"modified":"2023-03-09T18:44:39","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T02:44:39","slug":"ontario-allowing-high-school-students-to-transition-to-skilled-trades-apprenticeship-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/ontario-allowing-high-school-students-to-transition-to-skilled-trades-apprenticeship-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario allowing high school students to transition to skilled trades apprenticeship programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In a move to help fix the skilled labour shortage, the Ontario government has announced a plan to allow students in grade 11 to transition to a full-time, skilled trades apprenticeship program \u2013 meaning that more students will be able to enter the trades faster.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese changes provide students with exciting pathways to good-paying jobs and rewarding careers and support our government\u2019s ongoing work to attract more young people into the skilled trades,\u201d said Premier Doug Ford. \u201cWhether it\u2019s enhancing trades education in our schools, breaking down barriers for newcomers or upskilling workers, we\u2019re leaving no stone unturned to train the skilled workforce that will build Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the construction sector alone, 72,000 new workers are needed by 2027 to fill open positions because of retirements and expected job growth. To help deliver the province\u2019s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, more people are needed in the skilled trades.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 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,\u201d said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. \u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, the government will begin consultations in fall 2023 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 106 skilled trades that currently require a grade 12-level education.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo ensure all students can get ahead in this province, we are accelerating pathways from high school to apprenticeship learning and ultimately, a career in the skilled trades,\u201d said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. \u201cOur government\u2019s mission is to fill the skills gap by better connecting Ontario students to these good-paying jobs, helping many students who may not have graduated, now gain a credential that leads them to meaningful employment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n