St. Marys -More Perth County high school students will get an academic and career edge with the expansion of the Specialist High School Majors program at local schools this fall, John Wilkinson, MPP, Perth-Wellington announced today. He was joined by Jenny Versteeg, Chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board and Chuck Reid, Director of Education.
“We are helping more students succeed by giving them work experience in their community and opportunities to test drive their career interests while in school,” said Wilkinson. “Partnerships with local business assist our students to gain skills in high school that will help them make the right career choices. It is a winning combination both for students and our rural communities and I am pleased that all our Perth County secondary schools can provide their students with this excellent learning opportunity.”
This specialized secondary school program helps students earn credits towards their diploma, gain sector certifications and focus on future careers through more hands on leaning opportunities and workplace experiences.
In Perth County, new majors being offered in 2010-11 include:
- Energy High Skills Major offered at St. Marys DCVI
- Health and Wellness High Skills Major at North Western Secondary School
- Manufacturing High Skills Major at Listowel District Secondary School
“Offering specialized programs such as these help our students identify a clear pathway to a career, gain valuable experience and enhanced certification,” said Jenny Versteeg, Chair, AMDSB. “The interest being generated in these programs further engages our students in the learning and improves student achievement and graduation rates.”
“I am thrilled that we are providing more hands-on learning opportunities for our high school students. Our Specialist High Skills Major program is one of the initiatives that has helped more than 52,500 additional students graduate since 2004.”
– Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education
“Students who select these programs experience a seamless journey that begins in the classroom and leads to highly skilled careers,” said Chuck Reid, Director of Education, AMDSB.
“On behalf of member of council of the Town of St. Marys I would like to thank the province of Ontario for providing our local students an opportunity to experience first hand what it is to work in the emerging field of Energy,” stated Jamie Hahn
In 2010-11, there will be over 1,000 Specialist High Skills Majors programs in more than 530 secondary schools across Ontario – an increase of 260 programs and 100 schools over this school year.
In 2010-11, there will be 28,000 students enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Majors program across Ontario – an increase of 8,000 students over this school year.
The Student Success programs have helped raise Ontario’s graduation rate from 68 to 79 per cent in five years.
There are currently 18 different majors across Ontario. Examples include sports, non-profit, energy, agriculture, aviation and aerospace, and construction.
“Working together, we make things better,” stated Wilkinson.
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For additional information, contact:
Cathy Winhold
Special Assistant
519-272-0660
LEARN MORE
See the complete list of Specialist High Skills Majors available in September 2010 at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/SHSM.asp#complete
Learn more about Ontario’s new Tax Reform at: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/index.html
Ontario's tax changes are a key component of the five-year Open Ontario plan to create jobs, grow the economy, and build a stronger Ontario. The changes also include the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax and tax cuts for business. It is estimated that these changes will help create almost 600,000 net new jobs within the next 10 years.