Revised Career Studies Course Launched to Inspire Next Generation of Skilled Workforce
The Voice of Canada News:
Following a roundtable with students at SHAD, Ontario’s Minister of Education announced the newly revised Grade 10 Career Studies Courseis now available online, and will be implemented in schools in September 2019 with a central focus on the jobs of the future.
The updated Career Studies course, which is a mandatory requirement for achieving an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, now includes learning on financial literacy and an enhanced focus on career pathways, such as apprenticeships in the skilled trades. It also takes a deeper look at:
- Financial management and budgeting (including paying bills on time, the value of using credit responsibly, and options to pay for postsecondary education);
- Careers in high-growth industries such as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines;
- Social media usage and its implications for students; and,
- Cross-curricula transferable skills such as creativity, collaboration, and technological fluency.
“Our mission is to ensure that our young people are better prepared to transition from the journey of learning seamlessly into the workforce,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “With an emphasis on STEM, financial literacy, and transferable skills, we are better aligning our curriculum with the labour market, to ensure our young people can optimize their skills and get access to good-paying jobs.”
In addition to the new curriculum, the Ministry of Education will also begin work on integrating the seven transferable skills found in the Career Studies course across all curriculum expectations going forward. This work will make it easier for teachers to teach transferable skills and track student progression across grades.
“The old system did not sufficiently support our young people, nor inspire them to consider the jobs of tomorrow,” said Minister Lecce. “This transformation will help inspire our students to think big, to aspire for better jobs, and to support the creation of a credible career pathway so they can succeed in a competitive global marketplace.”
Following the province’s largest consultation on education, the Career Studies course has been updated to reflect public feedback and research. Ontario is investing $2.25 million to support school boards with the implementation of revised curricula, including this course.
Quick Facts
- A Career Studies parent fact sheet is now available. It provides parents with information on the skills, knowledge and work habits that students will learn to plan for their future.
- Specialist High Skills Majors allow students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements.
- Dual Credits provide students apprenticeship training and postsecondary courses – while earning dual credits towards both their high school diploma and their postsecondary diploma, degree or apprenticeship certification.
- School College Work Initiative (SCWI) helps to expose students to college and apprenticeship pathways, fostering a seamless transition for students from secondary school to college and apprenticeship.
- Experiential Learning allows students to explore different career options and industries, while building real-world skills.
