As much as a traditional classroom has to offer, there are just some skills and experiences that can only be learned outside those four walls. Experiential learning allows students to take what they’ve learned and apply it to real-world scenarios, in real-time, and learn quickly from their mistakes.
Co-operative (Co-op) Education
Cooperative education extends learning beyond the classroom and allows high school students to earn credits while completing a work placement. Students gain valuable hands-on experience and are able to explore the world of work through a variety of career options available to them. It is an excellent opportunity to clarify career goals, develop skills desirable by employers, and enhance your résumé/portfolio.
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a specialized program within co-operative education. It is a school-to-work program where students can become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified in a skilled trade, while completing their secondary school diplomas. Contact your co-op teacher or guidance counsellor for more information.
Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)
Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) program allows students to focus on a particular career sector and complete specialized training/certifications important to careers in that sector. High schools vary in the focus of their SHSM programs. Contact your guidance counsellor to see what your high school has to offer.
Canadian Gap Year Association
CanGap is a registered non-profit organization that aims to help young people looking for an alternative learning experience on their educational and/or career pathways.
Canada Roots Exchange
CRE is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth who believe that in order to bridge the gap between Canada’s peoples and work towards reconciliation, we need to become educated and aware of the teachings, triumphs, and daily realities of Indigenous communities.
