High school students will soon need a technological credit to graduate in Ontario

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Published March 10, 2023 at 12:09 pm

stephen lecce announcement mississauga

High school students will soon need a technological education credit to graduate in Ontario.

The Ontario government is adding the new high school graduation requirement in September 2024, said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education at a press conference today (March 10) at Roshel, an armoured vehicle manufacturer in Mississauga.

All students will be required to earn a Grade 9 or 10 technological education credit as part of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Lecce said.

“By requiring students to take at least one Technological Education credit in high school, we are opening up doors and creating new pathways to good jobs in STEM and the skilled trades,” said Lecce.

“All students will benefit from a greater emphasis on hands-on learning experiences and technical skills in the classroom so they can graduate with a competitive advantage in this country.”

It’s hoped that students will be inspired to pursue a career in skilled trades or technology.

“Every child needs to have some technological education,” he said.

Lecce said adding the required credit won’t crowd out arts or physical education classes — there will be time for electives and the prerequisites required in Grade 11 and 12.

The technological education credit will be offered in a variety of sectors such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, computer technology, hospitality and communication.

Requiring the credit will also make help address gender inequality in the trades and technology.

While almost 39 per cent of Ontario secondary school students were enrolled in a Technological Education course in 2020-21, nearly 63 per cent were male students.

With this graduation requirement, more young women will have an opportunity to explore the trades.

“Women are often underrepresented in these fields,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and MPP for Brampton Centre.

The skills trades are facing a labour shortage as many baby boomers are retiring, she added.

“And this isn’t an industry problem. And this isn’t a female problem. It’s an economic problem, because women and girls can play a vital role in our economy,” Williams said.

See the full press conference here.

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