For further information, please access The Ontario Ministry of Education CO-OP Site, click here.
SWAC/Dual Credit
School College Work Initiative (SCWI)
The goal of the program is to increase opportunities for student success, secondary and post-secondary structure:
Cooperative effort of the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) and the Committee of College Presidents (COP)
Jointly funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Co-management team including: college presidents, school board directors, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Training and Colleges and Universities personnel
All district school boards and all colleges through 16 Regional Planning Teams
View the latest updates, course codes and applications below for more information and to experience one of these exciting programs:
The Grand River Region School Within a College (SWAC)
A partnership among Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, Grand Erie District School Board, Conestoga College, Brantford, Fanshawe College, Simcoe and Mohawk College, Ohsweken
Attend full days in a college setting
Engage in a dual credit or apprenticeship based on your pathway choice.
Students participate in a class together, taking the entire program as a group with one secondary teacher as your primary contact
Dual Credits
Taught by college professors and Secondary teachers.
The college staff takes the lead and the secondary teacher supports the program in a wide variety of ways including Student Success.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
OYAP Informational Flyer
OYAP enables full-time students who are 16 years of age or older with at least 16 credits to meet diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires on-the-job training.
The OYAP program is designed to increase the number of secondary students interested in exploring the trades and prepares them to successfully pursue careers in the trades. Students in Grades 11 or 12 can gain training, through a cooperative education program, in an apprenticeship trade of interest.
To be eligible for OYAP, students must:
be enrolled full-time in secondary school
be working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
be enrolled in a cooperative education program with a placement in an apprenticeship trade
Increase opportunities for post-secondary training and employment
Earn work experience hours in addition to secondary school credits
Develop general and specialized job skills
Understand employer expectations
Why Apply?
Applying for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program could be the first step in beginning a rewarding career in the skilled trades.
OYAP is both a demanding and smart choice if you wish to jump-start your career. Jobs in the skilled trades pay well and challenge your intellect and creativity.
Apprenticeships are often the first step in a career path that can lead to supervisory, administrative or management positions, or to a self-employed business career.
Students who participate in OYAP will be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain apprenticeship hours and high school credits at the same time.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Grand Erie District School Board, in conjunction with Ontario Ministry of Education, offers Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) to students in secondary schools.
High school students enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major are required to complete a bundle of classroom courses, workplace experiences and sector certifications to receive a special designation, also known as the red seal, on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Currently, 13 Grand Erie high schools offer 35 Specialist High Skills Major Programs in 10 different economic sectors:
The SHSMs can prepare students for either apprenticeships, college, university or the workforce. Speak with your Principal to learn more about the program offered at your school or another school of choice.
Below are a few Specialist High Skills Majors that McKinnon Park has to offer.
With a Construction Specialist High Skills Major, students focus on a career path to match their skills and interests in this sector. By making courses more relevant to students, kids get a better understanding of the Construction sector because they learn it in a real world environment. Students learn on the job with employers through Co-op and Experiential Learning opportunities, as well as in school. At graduation they receive a specially designated diploma.
A Construction SHSM may be for you if you are interested in any of the following careers:
Apprenticeship Training
Brick and Stone Mason
Carpenter
Construction Millwright
Electrician
Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor
Painter and Decorator
Plumber
Roofer
College
Architectural Design Technician/Technologist
Civil Engineering Technologist
Construction Estimator
Construction Manager
Construction Technologist
Contractor and Supervisor, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications
Home Inspector
Interior Designer
Residential Home Builder or Renovator
University
Architect
Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Structural Engineer
Workplace
Carpenter Helper
Concrete Finisher
Construction Trades Helper and Labourer
Demolition Worker
Drywall Installer
Helper - Construction Trades
Home Renovator
A Construction SHSM will provide students with an assortment of the following TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS specific to the Construction sector:
Standard First Aid
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation CPR - Level A
WHMIS
Health and Safety - Basic
Fall Protection
Chainsaw Safety
Confined Space Awareness
Elevating Work Platforms
Energy Efficiency
Electrical Safety
Lift Truck Safety
Hoisting and Rigging
Powder-Actuated Tools
Propane in Construction
Scaffold Safety
Suspended Access Equipment
Traffic Control
Trenching Safety
Insulated Concrete Forming
Personal Protective Equipment in Construction
A Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM may be for you if you are interested in any of the following careers:
Apprenticeship Training
Arborist
Horticulture Technician
Small Engine Technician
College
Golf Course Technician
Landscape Technologist
Parks Operations Manager
Tree Service Technician
Urban Forestry and Park Technician
University
Biologist
Botanist
Horticulturalist
Landscape Architect
Plant Pathologist
Workplace
Gardener
Greenhouse Worker
Grower
Landscape Labourer
Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Contractors
Lawn and Garden Retail Salesperson
Plant Propagator
A Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM will provide students with an assortment of the following TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS specific to the Horticulture and Landscaping sector:
Standard First Aid
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation CPR - Level A
WHMIS
Plant Identification
Edging and Trimming
Grading and Drainage
Phone Etiquette
Tree Planting
Pruning
Paver Installation
Customer Services
Grading and Sodding
Plant Layout
Cash Handling
Lawn Mower Use and Safety
Work Orders
With a Hospitality and Tourism Specialist High Skills Major, students focus on a career path to match their skills and interests in this sector. By making courses more relevant to students, kids get a better understanding of the Hospitality and Tourism sector because they learn it in a real world environment. Students learn on the job with employers through Co-op and Experiential Learning opportunities, as well as in school. At graduation they receive a specially designated diploma.
A Hospitality and Tourism SHSM may be for you if you are interested in any of the following careers:
Apprenticeship Training
Baker
Butcher and Meat Cuter
Chef
Cook
Special Events Coordinator
College
Accommodation Service Manager
Conference and Event Planner
Food Service Supervisor
Hotel/Resort Manager
Restaurant and Food Service Manager
Tourism Information Officer
Travel Counsellor
University
Dietician
Food Bacteriologist
Nutritionist
Public and Environmental Health Officer
Public Relations and Communications
Workplace
Executive Housekeeper
Food and Beverage Server
Food Counter Attendant and Kitchener Helper
Food Stylist
Hotel/Front Desk Clerk
Hotel Valet
Purser and Flight Attendant
Receptionist and Front Desk Clerk
Reservation Agent
Sales Representative - Wine, Food, Wholesale
Ticket Agent
Tour and Travel Guide
Tourist Information Clerk
A Hospitality and Tourism SHSM will provide students with an assortment of the following TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS specific to the Hospitality and Tourism sector: