Expanding Pathways

Achievements

During the 2021-2022 school year, staff continued to provide new ways for students to experience the apprenticeship pathway. In July 2022, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) offered three-weeks of a summer welding camp in partnership with the Canadian Welding Bureau. The board also offered 10 skilled trades days at Durham College for students in Grade 7 and 8. On these days, students participate in hands-on activities led by instructors from Durham College.

The board also offered 28 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs across nine economic sectors with 623 students participating in the program.

The promotion of the apprenticeship pathway to Grade 7 and 8 students continues to be an areas of focus as it encourages exploration of the skilled trades in secondary school through participation in Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs (OYAP) and technology courses. Grade 7 and 8 students throughout the board participated in a variety of hands-on workshops including the Gold Collar and OYAP catapult and car workshops while learning more about the apprenticeship pathway.

Throughout the year, staff promoted virtual post-secondary evenings highlighting the College, University and Apprenticeship application processes. Representatives were available in breakout rooms for questions from every Ontario College, University and the Ministry of Labour.

As a transition from school to the workplace, DCDSB arranged school workplace pathway sessions for students going directly to the workforce upon graduation.

Highlights

Skilled Trades/OYAP:

45 DCDSB students participated in the summer welding camps offered at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in July 2022.
Over 275 Grade 7 and 8 students participated in skilled trades days at Durham College.
During the 2021-2022 school year, 133 students were in enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and 22 were enrolled in OYAP Level 1.

Dual Credit/SHSM Programs:

628 DCDSB students were enrolled in the dual credit program.
623 students were enrolled in the SHSM program.

Cooperative Education:

During the 2021-2022 school year, DCDSB had approximately 360 students from our seven secondary school participate in a co-operative education placement.
Of the 360, 133 students were in the OYAP program and 22 were OYAP Level 1.

Post-Secondary Pathways Events:

Over 350 families attended the College/Apprenticeship event.
Over 650 families attended the University event.
VPI hosted information sessions for the students at our individual high schools.