The Future is Bright in Skilled Trades – A Blog written by Elizabeth Wylie, OAPCE Hamilton Director.
Attention Secondary School Parents: Encouraging Your Child to Explore Careers in the Skilled Trades
As parents in Catholic Education, we want our children to find fulfilling and stable careers. While many families focus on university pathways, it’s important to recognize the opportunities available in the skilled trades in this economy.
Here are just a few of the advantages of considering a career in the skilled trades:
- high demand jobs & excellent salaries (Check out this provincial resource: Explore in-demand careers | ontario.ca)
- the ability to build strong personal relationships with crewmates and customers as an Ontario Catholic School Graduate, creating a sense of camaraderie and connection in their daily work.
- training typically takes less time and costs significantly less than a traditional 3 or 4-year university program, allowing students to enter the workforce sooner with no or minimal debt.
The good news is there are programs available in Ontario designed to introduce high school students and new graduates to these rewarding careers. By learning more about these programs, you can encourage your child to explore their options and gain valuable experience that can be transferred to any career they ultimately choose. It is worth exploring what’s available at your own school board to see what programs your student can be taking advantage of in high school and after graduation.
Here are four excellent options for students and new grads to consider:
1. Cooperative Education (Co-op) Courses
Cooperative education (co-op) courses allow high school students to gain real-world experience while earning credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). These placements take students out of the classroom and place them in workplaces where they can develop valuable skills and gain insights into different careers.
Co-op courses provide many benefits, including:
- Hands-on learning experiences
- The chance to test-drive potential career paths
- Opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings
- Development of essential workplace skills and habits
- The ability to build a strong resumé for future employment
Each co-op credit requires a minimum of 110 hours of workplace experience, and students can take as many co-op courses as they like. If your child is curious about a career in the skilled trades, co-op courses are a great way for them to explore their interests before making a long-term commitment.
Learn more here: Cooperative education (co-op) courses | ontario.ca
2. Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) takes co-op learning a step further by offering students the opportunity to begin an apprenticeship while still in high school. Through OYAP, students can start earning hours toward becoming a certified journeyperson in a skilled trade while simultaneously completing their high school diploma.
OYAP is an excellent choice for students who already know they are interested in a trade and want to jumpstart their careers. By participating in this program, they can:
- Begin an apprenticeship in a skilled trade
- Gain hands-on experience with industry professionals
- Reduce the time needed to become a certified tradesperson
- Earn money while learning valuable skills
Encouraging your child to explore OYAP can set them on a path to a well-paying, stable career in an in-demand field.
Find out more here: Prepare for apprenticeship | ontario.ca
3. Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized high school program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while earning their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students in SHSM develop valuable career skills, gain industry certifications, and graduate with an SHSM seal on their diploma.
To complete an SHSM, students must:
- Complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in their chosen sector
- Earn industry certifications such as first aid and CPR
- Gain hands-on experience through cooperative education placements
SHSM programs are available in 19 different sectors, many of which align with skilled trades careers, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and more. The benefits of completing an SHSM include:
- Tailoring high school education to individual interests and talents
- Developing specialized knowledge and skills
- Gaining career-relevant training and certifications
- Engaging in STEM-related activities that foster innovation and creativity
- Exploring and refining career goals to make informed future decisions
Click here to learn more about SHSM: Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) | ontario.ca
4. Support Ontario Youth
Support Ontario Youth is a registered charity that helps students transition into skilled trades careers by addressing gaps in training and education. This program for youth 18+ provides mentorship, safety training, and hands-on tool experiences across multiple trades.
They offer:
- Safety training to ensure students are prepared for the workplace
- Engaging one-day bootcamps in a variety of industries
- Mentorship opportunities with industry professionals
- Guidance on apprenticeship pathways
- Development of employability skills to support long-term career success
By participating in Support Ontario Youth, students receive the support they need to navigate their career journey and find the right trade for them.
Check out their webpage to find out more: Home | Support Ontario Youth
The Future is Bright in Skilled Trades
Encouraging your child to explore careers in the skilled trades can help students gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and start building a fulfilling career while still in high school or right after graduation.
Talk to your child about their interests and suggest they discuss these programs with their school guidance counselor. The skilled trades offer rewarding, well-paying careers with plenty of room for growth.