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Experiential Learning

Experiential learning opportunities allow students to connect their learning at school with real-world experiences. "Planned learning experiences in the community may include outdoor education, project/program-based learning, job shadowing and job twin­ing, field trips, field studies, work experience, and cooperative education. These experiences provide opportunities for students to see the relevance of their classroom learning and its connection to the broader world. They also help them develop transferable and interpersonal skills and work habits that prepare them for their future, and enable them to explore careers of interest as they plan their pathway through school to their postsecondary destination, whether in apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace.” (Experiential Learning, MOE, 2023) 

The SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific sector while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The SHSM enables students to customize their secondary school experience to suit their interests and talents, and  prepare for a successful post-secondary transition to apprenticeship, college, university or the workforce, while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Why Pursue A Specialist High Skills Major?

Through the SHSM, Ontario secondary school students are given more opportunities to earn industry recognized certifications, participate in reach ahead activities and cooperative education to match their individual goals and interests. Students are recognized as having achieved a SHSM in a specific area with a RED seal on their OSSD and a special transcript listing certifications and skills to which they have been exposed.

Go to TVDSB.ca/SHSM to see which schools offer SHSM.

To learn more about these exciting opportunities see your Guidance department.

What is it?

Students can participate in post-secondary courses and/or apprenticeship training, earning dual credits that count towards both their high school diploma and their post-secondary diploma, degree or apprenticeship certification.

Who’s it for?

Students who need learning opportunities outside of high school and who would benefit from a college or apprenticeship experience.

How it helps

Students have the opportunity to:

  • Earn high school credits while studying at a local college or taking apprenticeship training
  • Gain experience that will help them with their post-secondary education or apprenticeship
  • Get a head start on learning and training for their future careers

Day Away Dual Credits allow students to attend college one day a week to earn college credits in addition to high school credits. Each successfully completed college credit also results in the awarding of a high school credit which can be used toward completion of the OSSD. Currently, TVDSB has day away programs at Fanshawe, Lambton and Conestoga colleges.

Go to Dual Credits Day Away Programs

The School Within A College program allows students to complete high school by attending school on campus at college. These students also enroll in college dual credits. Each successfully completed college credit also results in the awarding of a high school credit which can be used toward completion of the OSSD. Currently, TVDSB has a SWAC program at Fanshawe College, London, St. Thomas, and Woodstock, as well as Lambton College.

TVDSB also has a dedicated SWAC program for Indigenous students.
   

Go to School Within A College

What is the Ontario Youth ApprenticeshipProgram (OYAP)?

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program.

The goals of OYAP are to:

  • Provide students with the opportunity to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  • Enable students to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training
  • Provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require
  • Provide a viable solution to address the problem of skilled tradespeople shortages in general, and specifically the lack of young people joining the trades

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.

Go to Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program 

  • Cooperative Education is a planned learning experience through which students can earn credits.
  • Classroom theory and workplace experiences allow students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related course.
  • The classroom component is comprised of preplacement and integration activities.
  • The personalized placement component takes place in the workplace where students get hands-on experience exploring an occupation.
  • Cooperative Education is appropriate for all students who are heading to university, college, apprenticeship or the workplace. It is offered in all subject areas and course types.

  • Job Shadowing — a one-on-one observation of a worker at a place of employment for up to three days
  • Job Twinning — a one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a place of employment for up to three days
  • Work Experience — a planned learning opportunity within a course which allows students a relatively short-term work experience, usually of one or two weeks at a time, for a total of up to four weeks
  • Work Internship — combines workplace training with a school-based program to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce. Ask about the Thames Valley District School Board Destinations programs.

The School Within A University program allows students experiencing changes and challenges in life to complete secondary school by attending school on campus at Western University in London, Ontario. These students also enroll tuition free in one first year university course.

Go to School Within A University