Monday, September 14, 2015
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ontario Pilot Program Provides Work Experience and Career Coaching
Experience Ontario Will Help Students Transition from Secondary Education
The Ontario Government is helping more students make the transition between secondary and postsecondary education and training with Experience Ontario, a new pilot program designed to help young people identify and work towards their future goals.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement today at Central Toronto Academy. Experience Ontario is a two-year, $20-million pilot program that will give approximately 600 students across the province valuable work experience, career coaching and mentorship in its first year. The program will encourage graduating high school students to choose the appropriate postsecondary educational path for them, and will help them succeed once they enrol.
Each Experience Ontario participant will have access to a career coach to guide them throughout the nine-month program. Participants will attend a three-day career exploration conference, visit a postsecondary education institution or training facility, have their college or university application fee paid for and take part in up to three paid work placements in sectors related to their interests.
Helping more students succeed is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Quick Facts:
- In 2015-16, approximately 600 students from across the province will take part in the nine-month Experience Ontario program, which includes up to three paid work placements in sectors related to their interests.
- Ontario’s five-year high school graduation rate was 84 per cent in 2014, which is 16 percentage points higher than the 2004 rate of 68 per cent. The percentage of students graduating in four years is 76 per cent, an increase of 20 percentage points since 2004, when it was only 56 per cent.
- 66 per cent of Ontario adults have completed postsecondary education, higher than any country in the OECD.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Investing in people’s talent and skills is part of our government’s plan to create more opportunity and security for Ontarians and help build a prosperous province. Experience Ontario will help more high school graduates gain valuable work experience, confidently choose postsecondary education or training, and work towards a successful future."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"Experience Ontario is an innovative pilot program that will give our students the tools and skills they need to succeed now and in the future. The personalized support and job experience will ensure that our students can find the right career path for them."
— Liz Sandals, Minister of Education
"This creative pilot program will help students gain insights into the wide variety of world-class postsecondary opportunities available to them at our province’s colleges and universities. Combining this exposure with mentorship and relevant work experience will help these students benefit from a smooth transition, building a brighter future for themselves and Ontario."
— Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
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