Pathways

A student pathway is the combination of courses and supports that make up a student's educational program by aligning individual student strengths and learning styles with a chosen path. Having the choice of apprenticeship, college, university or workplace reflects the aspirations of all students and values all destinations.

Considerations for post-secondary pathways

Post-secondary destinations

Choose a career area of strength/interest

Tips for parents/guardians on how to help students select a program pathway:

Talk to your child's Grade 8 teacher for program recommendations.

Talk with your child about interests, strengths, challenges, learning preferences and future goals as a follow up to their Grade 7 and 8 career exploration classes.

Contact the Guidance, Student Success Lead Teacher, or Special Education departments at the secondary school if you have questions or concerns.

Learn more about themselves to discover their learning style, strengths and interests

Explore opportunities about the variety of occupations in their areas of interest.

Develop a post-secondary plan by working with classroom teachers, guidance counsellors and using a variety of resources in the school's guidance office and online.

Get "real world" experiences through a variety of opportunities such as Take Our Kids to Work Day, co-operative education, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), hobbies, clubs, volunteering and part-time jobs. By trying something new, students may discover a passion they didn't know they had.

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a combination of on the job training and classroom instruction. Apprentices earn wages. More than 140 aprrenticeable occupations exist in Ontario in the automotive, industrial, construction and services sectors. Students who enjoy hands-on learning and one-to-one instruction are well suited to pursuing an apprenticeship. Key courses include: English, Math, Science, Technology, and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

College

Colleges offer a wide variety of career-oriented programs in Applied Arts, Business, Health Care, Human Services and Technology for secondary school graduates and mature students. At College, graduates can earn a one-year certificate or a two or three-year diploma depending on their program of choice, or a four year applied degree program.

Secondary students applying to college will select courses from the College, University / College, or University pathways. College programs have specific secondary school credit requirements as prerequisites especially in the areas of Math, English, Science. Students considering college should consult the Ontario College Guide, college calendars and Web sites, and work closely with their teachers, guidance counsellors and college liaison representatives.

Informative Web site: www.ontariocolleges.ca

University

Universities in Ontario offer undergraduate degrees, professional designations and graduate degrees in a variety of areas.  To enter an Ontario University directly from secondary school a student needs a minimum of six Grade 12 University or University/College pathway credits. Since admission averages and secondary school prerequisites often vary significantly from one university to another it is important that students do ample research and consult regularly with their guidance counsellor. Further information can be found in the INFO publication, university calendars, Web sites and through specific university liaison representatives.

Informative Web site: www.ouac.on.ca and www.electronicinfo.ca

Workplace

Students enter the world of work either directly from secondary school or after additional post-secondary training. HPEDSB schools help to prepare students in a variety of ways such as the Grade 10 Career Studies course, co-operative education programs, Employment Destinations Program, or work experiences embedded in some programs and through community involvement.

Informative Web sites:

www.jconnect.on.ca

http://skills.edu.gov.on.ca

Choose a career area of strength / interest